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Profession JRI–01 / Admin

Will AI replace data entry clerks?

Data entry carries one of the steepest declines in our index: employment of 127,080 keyers is expected to drop 25.9% by 2034, in a role typically paying $41,340 a year. The work itself, keying figures from source documents, checking them against the originals, and correcting the errors that surface, is largely what software now does without supervision.

The risk spectrum — where Data Entry Clerk sits
Data Entry Clerk vs the 83 other jobs
Risk rank1 / 84
Automation timeline0-2 years
Median salary$41,340
Projected growth-25.9% (2024–34)
01 / Your plan

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Updated Sep 21, 2026

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02 / Job market

Official outlook: shrinking.

Within the 84 professions
Salary$41,340
$31k$171k
Growth-25.9% (2024–34)
-25.9%33.5%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a -25.9% change in employment for this occupation between 2024 and 2034, from a current base of 127,080 people employed earning a median of $41,340 a year.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 & OEWS May 2025.

AI adoption in postings →

03 / Real salaries

Data Entry Clerk salaries by city

Median pay from real records (H-1B filings and tech job postings), across the cities with most observations.

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04 / How to enter

How to become a data entry clerk.

Typical preparation

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Job training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Getting in is one thing — the day-to-day runs on a specific set of tools and skills:

Foundations
Core skills
Tools

Full skill path with courses →

07 / FAQ

What people ask.

01Will AI replace data entry clerks?
Automation already handles most of this occupation's activity, roughly 77% of it. Employment among 127,080 keyers is projected to fall 25.9% by 2034, leaving people to handle exceptions, audit data quality, and own cases that do not fit the template. This indicates widespread replacement rather than partial assistance.
02How soon or how fast could that happen for Data Entry Clerks?
The shift is already underway; automation is expected to arrive within 0 to 2 years. That pace aligns with a critical risk level and a predicted decline of 25.9% by 2034 for the 127,080 current positions.
03What skills keep Data Entry Clerks relevant?
Relevant skills center on tasks machines still miss: data validation and quality assurance, process-automation oversight, and spreadsheet and database analysis. The first two carry high demand; spreadsheet and database analysis is medium demand. These support the remaining work of correcting errors and owning non-template cases.
04How does someone become one of Data Entry Clerks, or what preparation is needed?
A high school diploma is usually required. Reading comprehension and active listening are medium-demand entry capabilities, while monitoring is low-demand. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and Access supports the work.
05What related roles could Data Entry Clerks pivot to?
Two related occupations are listed as possible transitions: software engineers and proofreaders. The former has an index score of 30; the latter, 85. The engineering path thus implies considerably less displacement risk.
06Is Data Entry Clerk a good career to start in 2026?
For a 2026 start, the outlook is poor. The typical wage is $41,340 annually, but the 127,080 keyers in this field are expected to see employment drop 25.9% by 2034, and the risk level is critical. Automation tools are likely to operate within the same 0- to 2-year horizon.
07What tools do Data Entry Clerks use?
Common tools include Microsoft Access, Microsoft Dynamics, Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, electronic medical record software, and Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge. Daily tasks involve compiling, sorting, and verifying data accuracy, then comparing entries against source documents and correcting errors.