Where AI can help
Field extraction and transfer between systems can be automated.
Business · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Data Entry Keyers
Organize information from documents and enter it into systems. Verification and error handling are part of the role, beyond typing.
Observed AI exposure67.1%Anthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection-25.5%2025–2035
Education typically neededHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Locate and correct data entry errors, or report them to supervisors.
- 02
Compile, sort, and verify the accuracy of data before it is entered.
- 03
Compare data with source documents, or re-enter data in verification format to detect errors.
- 04
Store completed documents in appropriate locations.
- 05
Select materials needed to complete work assignments.
An example of an output
An organized dataset with identified errors and traceability to original documents.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Administrative operations handling many documents. Repetitive work with attention to quality standards.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$43,310
Median annual pay$41,340
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$31,200
90th percentile$58,790
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 2025131,800
Projected openings per year7,700
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
Exceptions, ambiguous records and acceptance criteria need attention before data is used.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Use a public dataset and create checks for duplicates, missing fields and unusual values.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Accuracyinformation classificationcheckingorganization
Tools you may encounter
Spreadsheets · forms · record systems · validation tools
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$53,560 Mean annual pay
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks ↗
Applies record accuracy to financial transaction checks.
- What you can carry over
- Checking and organization
- What you would need to learn
- Accounting fundamentals and reconciliation
What to consider
Employment is also projected to decline. Consider the work fit, not guaranteed protection.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$56,790 Mean annual pay
Medical Records Specialists ↗
Record experience can support health information organization.
- What you can carry over
- Accuracy and document control
- What you would need to learn
- Medical terminology, coding and confidentiality
What to consider
Typical education includes a postsecondary award; clinical records require specific preparation.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Use a public dataset and create checks for duplicates, missing fields and unusual values.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Data Entry KeyersSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 43-9021.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗