How much does a data entry keyer make?
The median data entry keyer in the United States earns $41,340 per year, about $19.88 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all data entry keyers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-9021.
Data entry keyer salary range
Pay for data entry keyers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $31,200 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $58,790. The average (mean) wage of $43,310 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,760 | $17.19 | |
| Median (50th) | $41,340 | $19.88 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $48,410 | $23.27 | |
| 90th percentile | $58,790 | $28.26 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for data entry keyers (SOC 43-9021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Data entry keyer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Data entry keyers earn the most in District of Columbia at $55,170 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $33,860. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $55,170 | 200 |
| New Mexico | $49,810 | 300 |
| North Dakota | $48,300 | 110 |
| Maine | $48,190 | 140 |
| Hawaii | $47,630 | 210 |
| Massachusetts | $47,560 | 1,590 |
| Washington | $47,480 | 1,360 |
| Utah | $47,180 | 2,140 |
| California | $47,010 | 14,520 |
| Wyoming | $45,870 | 140 |
| Rhode Island | $44,980 | 270 |
| New York | $44,860 | 9,470 |
| Minnesota | $44,280 | 1,360 |
| Colorado | $43,910 | 1,190 |
| Iowa | $43,640 | 1,180 |
| New Hampshire | $43,440 | 790 |
| Vermont | $43,280 | 290 |
| Arizona | $43,200 | 3,420 |
| Illinois | $42,840 | 5,910 |
| Idaho | $42,810 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $42,470 | 4,940 |
| Montana | $42,340 | 300 |
| Georgia | $41,270 | 3,410 |
| Alaska | $40,700 | 160 |
| Indiana | $40,550 | 2,370 |
| Tennessee | $40,490 | 2,360 |
| Ohio | $40,220 | 4,530 |
| North Carolina | $39,610 | 3,330 |
| Nebraska | $39,600 | 1,260 |
| Nevada | $39,260 | 800 |
| Maryland | $38,970 | 1,850 |
| Virginia | $38,900 | 2,890 |
| Florida | $38,880 | 7,650 |
| Texas | $38,880 | 17,850 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,810 | 5,270 |
| Oklahoma | $38,590 | 1,290 |
| Connecticut | $38,560 | 1,290 |
| Kansas | $38,290 | 1,210 |
| Wisconsin | $38,170 | 2,360 |
| Michigan | $38,080 | 3,290 |
| South Carolina | $38,070 | 1,490 |
| Delaware | $37,810 | 410 |
| Louisiana | $36,920 | 1,800 |
| Kentucky | $36,870 | 2,020 |
| West Virginia | $35,900 | 660 |
| Alabama | $35,130 | 1,060 |
| Mississippi | $34,540 | 530 |
| South Dakota | $34,320 | 30 |
| Arkansas | $33,860 | 1,000 |
State median wages for data entry keyers (SOC 43-9021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for data entry keyers
The BLS projects employment of data entry keyers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 25.5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 131,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 98,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,700 openings a year for data entry keyers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a data entry keyer
The typical entry-level education for data entry keyers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a data entry keyer earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $55,170) and the lowest (Arkansas, $33,860) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 127,080 people work as data entry keyers in the United States. At $41,340 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Data entry keyer salary FAQ
How much does a data entry keyer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a data entry keyer is $19.88. The middle half of data entry keyers earn between $17.19 and $23.27 per hour.
What is the highest data entry keyer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of data entry keyers earn more than $58,790 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a data entry keyer make a year?
The median annual salary for a data entry keyer is $41,340. The average (mean) wage of $43,310 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a data entry keyer a well paid job?
At $41,340 a year, a data entry keyer earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 127,080 people work as data entry keyers in the United States.
Which state pays data entry keyers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for data entry keyers at $55,170 a year. New Mexico ($49,810) and North Dakota ($48,300) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a data entry keyer a good career?
Employment of data entry keyers is projected to shrink 25.5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a data entry keyer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for data entry keyers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Office & Administrative salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.