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Job outlook for data entry secretaries in the United States
Data entry secretary job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected data entry secretary job growth rate is -8% from 2018-2028.
About -286,900 new jobs for data entry secretaries are projected over the next decade.
Data entry secretary salaries have increased 12% for data entry secretaries in the last 5 years.
There are over 293,834 data entry secretaries currently employed in the United States.
There are 96,321 active data entry secretary job openings in the US.
The average data entry secretary salary is $33,088.
Are data entry secretary jobs in demand?
Data Entry Secretary job and salary trends over time
Data Entry Secretary jobs over time
Data Entry Secretary job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 293,834 | 0.09% |
| 2020 | 297,356 | 0.09% |
| 2019 | 323,823 | 0.10% |
| 2018 | 342,026 | 0.10% |
| 2017 | 351,327 | 0.11% |
Average data entry secretary salary over time
Data Entry Secretary salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,088 | $15.91 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $32,100 | $15.43 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $31,197 | $15.00 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $30,311 | $14.57 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $29,655 | $14.26 | +2.7% |
Data Entry Secretary jobs by state
Most common states for data entry secretaries
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,476 | 22% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 273 | 20% |
| 3 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 721 | 17% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 169 | 16% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 136 | 16% |
| 6 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,377 | 15% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 886 | 15% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 848 | 15% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 545 | 15% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 431 | 14% |
| 11 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 185 | 14% |
| 12 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 109 | 14% |
| 13 | Alaska | 739,795 | 103 | 14% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,618 | 13% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 247 | 13% |
| 16 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,813 | 12% |
| 17 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,370 | 12% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,598 | 12% |
| 19 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 683 | 12% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 204 | 12% |
Most common cities for data entry secretaries
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $34,989 |
| 2 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $28,556 |
Data Entry Secretary job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of data entry secretary experts
Ohio University
Missouri University of Science & Technology
California State University Channel Islands
College of Charleston
Dixie State University
What skills will help Data Entry Secretaries earn the most?
Allison White: I'll put professionalism at the top of the list, and then specialized skills come second regarding salary. The medical secretary used to be the one to earn top dollar. Now that there are Medical Assisting programs and licenses, the student must seek the special skills in terminology and clinical service from that degree to earn top dollar in the medical field. Employers want office skills (filing, customer service, scheduling, etc.) and clinical skills (vitals, patient intake, registration, etc.). Still, I recommend that those who are inexperienced seek skills and licenses in the area of their personal interest (law office, government office, medical office, education, and more). I took courses in legal terminology and legal office procedures while completing my associate's degree. I also pursued a business analyst certification and the MOS certifications early on. Later, I continued my education by earning a bachelor's degree in a dual major (business administration and marketing).
What skills stand out on Data Entry Secretary resumes?
Allison White: Knowledge of spreadsheets software such as MS Excel is a commonly sought-after skill. Employers want word processing and spreadsheet skills but often say they want high school graduates and pay accordingly. These skills aren't always taught in high school. Those in the field should seek these skills. Additionally, medical and legal assistants have highly sought after. Terminology courses for these specialized areas are sometimes offered at the vocational schools but are usually offered at the post-secondary level.
What soft skills should all Data Entry Secretaries possess?
Allison White: Employers have told me repeatedly that soft skills are often the most important. They will ask for my reference after I've gotten to know a student and been able to identify their communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. They want someone to take the initiative yet know when to ask questions. Customer service skills and confidentiality were also voiced by our internship supervisors. Verbal and non-verbal communication is a must. The applicant must be able to write well!!
What hard/technical skills are most important for Data Entry Secretaries?
Allison White: In addition to production software skills, including MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, we often taught database skills using MS Access. Every employer has an employee database and a customer/client database that requires input and sometimes maintenance by office personnel. Keyboarding (65+ wpm), basic bookkeeping/accounting, and filing skills are a must.
Christi Patton Luks
Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic AffairsMissouri University of Science & Technology
Linda & Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
What's a good job out of college for Data Entry Secretaries?
Christi Patton Luks: A good job out of college is one that can be adapted to the individual's skills and interests and encourages them to stretch. Frequently, students think they want to work in a particular type of job. Once they have it, they discover that it was not what they thought it would be. Many companies rotate new employees through a variety of positions. Those are great for helping people find their own hidden talents. I know that I have discovered abilities that I would not have even attempted when I was 20.
Amanda Carpenter
DirectorCalifornia State University Channel Islands
Department of Career Development and Alumni Engagement
What technical skills for a Data Entry Secretary stand out to employers?
Amanda Carpenter: -Data analytics skills are critical technical skills that stand out to employers in today's market. According to NACE (2018), the use of data analytics is projected to have the most significant impact on an organization's operational efficiency and revenue generation.
-Source (NACE): www.naceweb.org
What experience really stands out on Data Entry Secretary resumes?
Jacob Craig Ph.D.: I believe strongly in dexterity and a language of expertise. That means that if a student can show they can adapt to new demands by learning a new way of working, learning about a new audience, learning how to address a new purpose, learning a new genre or style, and learning a new technology, that employee attractive. Especially at the entry-level, the ability to learn and adapt is valuable. Being able to talk about their experience using a persuasive vocabulary is often useful. For instance, if students can describe their approach to communication without using cliches (short and sweet, clear) and something along the lines of purpose, audience, situation, genre, medium--that's persuasive.
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.
Department Chair and Associate Professor of EnglishDixie State University
English Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Data Entry Secretary job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.: There will be a lot more jobs that have telecommute options or requirements. Perhaps the office will never fully go away, but the pandemic has shown employers just how effective and cost-saving it can be to have people work from home. It saves money on things like office space and travel reimbursements. We'll see an increase in purely work-from-home jobs, but the biggest change will be the morphing of jobs into hybrid telecommute positions, where employees will still need to physically be in the office at times, but a good chunk of their work will be completed at home.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Data Entry Secretaries to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.: The great thing about a degree in English is that graduates can find work anywhere: teaching, freelance writing, technical writing, content production, editing, reporting-you name it. There are ample jobs in small towns and large cities in all of these areas. English degrees are also highly valued in a variety of jobs-such as sales, public relations, marketing, and paralegal work-because employers know these applicants, from day one, will have strong skills in writing, communication, critical thinking, and creative thinking.