what is a data entry officer?

As a data entry officer, you ensure an organisation's database remains accurate and current. Your job also entails transcribing data from phone conversations or recordings. While you work electronically in most organisations, you may still encounter paper documents in small companies. The company expects you to keep all the relevant information in the right place for easier retrieval. This job also requires a high level of accuracy since a single mistake may impact the company significantly.

Almost all industries employ data entry officers. For instance, financial institutions hire data entry officers to manage payroll, auditing, tax preparations, account payable forms and corporate finance data. If you land a job in a retail company, your job revolves around collecting online sales data, inventories and logistics details. The government also needs professional data entry clerks to input public records and election data.

The health sector hires data entry officers to compile data from diagnostic labs, clinics and medical centres. Depending on the company, you may do additional tasks, like general receptionist duties or answering phone calls in an office setting.

Would working as a data entry officer suit your attentiveness to details and administrative skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a data entry officer role.

data entry officer jobs
1

average data entry officer salary

According to the Economic Research Institute, you earn an average salary of €19,000 per year as a data entry officer in Greece. Since it is an entry-level role that requires minimal education, your earnings fluctuate based on experience and the complexity of your duties. Ιn an entry-level position, with extensive experience, it's possible to earn a salary exceeding €22,000 per year.

factors that affect your earnings as a data entry officer

Your compensation package mainly depends on experience and your employer. When you are new to the role, you have minimal experience and take home a lower salary. However, with experience, your earnings increase gradually. Having additional qualifications improves your earnings significantly. For instance, experience using office management systems, customer relationship management (CRM) systems and other technologies can boost your earnings.

Your work hours also affect your earnings. When you work full-time, your hourly rate is higher than that of part-time data entry officers. In a part-time position, you have minimal tasks and work fewer hours weekly. Hence, your earnings are slightly lower. Working for a large organisation also boosts your earnings due to the complexity of your duties and the unlimited resources available. Smaller companies may not have the budget to pay higher hourly rates.

download our salary guide
2

types of data entry officers

Some of the types of data entry officers include:

hands typing on keyboard
hands typing on keyboard
3

working as a data entry officer

Working as a data entry officer allows you to develop wide-ranging administrative skills. Here are the specific duties, work schedules and job prospects of data entry officers:

4

data entry officer skills and education

You don’t require educational qualifications to become a data entry officer. However, the following qualifications can boost your job prospects:

  • Education: you can become a data entry clerk after completing Gymnasio, the compulsory lower-secondary school level. After Gymnasio, find an entry-level job or attend vocational training schools to gain relevant qualifications for working in administration. If you completed vocational upper secondary school, consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration to improve your qualifications.
  • Work experience: aside from educational qualifications, you require experience in administrative and data entry roles. Most companies expect you to have extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Word.

competencies and characteristics of data entry officers

Data entry officers need the following skills:

  • Excellent interpersonal skills: as a data entry officer, you work with a team to get all the data uploaded within a predetermined time frame. Sometimes, you respond to customers' calls to provide vital information. Such tasks require excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Fast typing speed: companies prefer data entry officers who combine speed with accuracy. You input a considerable amount of data in a short time. On average, companies hire people who type at least 48 words a minute. If you type 70 words or more a minute, you stand a better chance of employment. Many companies also look for competency in 10-key numerical data entry.
  • Basic software knowledge: data entry officers use various office management systems and computer software daily. Therefore, you should know how to use Word processing and spreadsheet applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel. The ability to learn how to use new applications quickly is an advantage.
  • Ability to operate office equipment: you work with office equipment to increase productivity, so you require basic knowledge of how to use printers, copiers, scanners and dictation machines.
  • Trustworthiness: data entry officers handle confidential information from various sources. Organisations usually perform due diligence on their candidates to ensure they don't hire untrustworthy individuals who will compromise data security.
5

FAQs

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a data entry officer.

thank you for subscribing to your personalised job alerts.