Occupation intelligence

data entry clerk

Snapshot

Are you detail-oriented and enjoy working with data? As a data entry clerk, you'll be a vital part of ensuring information is accurate and accessible, supporting smooth operations across various industries.

Summary

Data entry clerks are responsible for maintaining and updating information within computer systems. This role requires a keen eye for detail and accuracy, as you'll be handling sensitive data and ensuring its integrity. You’ll be preparing data for input, verifying information, and retrieving data as needed, contributing to efficient data management practices.

Key responsibilities
  • • Inputting and updating data into computer systems and databases.
  • • Reviewing source documents for accuracy and completeness, identifying and correcting errors.
  • • Verifying data entered against source documents to ensure accuracy.
79%
Resilience Score

Are you detail-oriented and enjoy working with data? As a data entry clerk, you'll be a vital part of ensuring information is accurate and accessible, supporting smooth operations across various industries.

Digital Technology Primary education 26% AI exposure
Start Career DNA assessment
Quick fit check

Could data entry clerk fit you?

Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.

Progress0/3

Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?

NexFuture

Future Outlook for data entry clerk

The outlook for data entry clerk is exceptionally stable. While AI tools will assist with daily tasks, the core of this role relies on human judgment, resulting in a high resilience score of 79.4%.

How are these scores calculated?

The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.

Play the future

How could data entry clerk change as AI adoption grows?

Human judgement, trust, and context remain strong protectors for this role.

Significant task-level transformation is estimated in 19 years (around 2045) under the selected Expected Pace scenario.
79%
Resilience
Automation Risk
EXP33%
Human advantage
MOAT75%
2026
2036
2050
AI Adoption Speed:

How AI may change this role

Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.

Human-owned 79% Human-owned
What still depends on people

This role remains strongly human-led where apply information security policies depends on trust, nuance, and real-world judgement.

The Human Edge To stay ahead in this role, focus on documentation types and query languages. These human-centric skills are the hardest for AI to replicate in the next 20 years.
Assist 50% Assist
Where AI may become a co-pilot

AI is more likely to assist supporting tasks such as maintain data entry requirements, documentation, search, and workflow coordination.

Automate 26% Automate
Tasks most exposed to automation

Automation pressure appears selective rather than broad, with the strongest signal currently coming from AI / machine learning.

Detailed Analysis

Vital Signs, AI Vectors & Megatrends

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Vital Signs

AI Exposure Vectors

0-100%
AI / Machine Learning 50%

Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks

Generative AI 21.8%

Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools

Cognitive Software 20.2%

Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation

Robotic & Physical Automation 0%

Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement

Megatrend Signals

0-100%
Digital Transformation 100%
Spatial Change 50%
Demographic Shift 6%
Green Transition 0%
Regulatory Pressure 0%
Geopolitical Change 0%

Model-derived scores. Indicates structural exposure to megatrends, not direct demand.

Technical Details
Methodology: NexFuture v2.0 Sources: O*NET 30.0, ESCO v1.2.0 Updated: May 2026

NexFuture™ v2.0 combines O*NET ability and activity profiles with ESCO skill group distributions and six global megatrend signals. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture™ Methodology White Paper for full details.

Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Digital Technology

Day in the life

A typical day as a data entry clerk

09
09:00 · Morning
apply information security policies
Implement policies, methods and regulations for data and information security in order to respect confidentiality, integrity and availability principles.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
maintain data entry requirements
Uphold conditions for data entry. Follow procedures and apply data program techniques.
12
12:00 · Midday
apply statistical analysis techniques
Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
perform data cleansing
Detect and correct corrupt records from data sets, ensure that the data become and remain structured according to guidelines.
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
process data
Enter information into a data storage and data retrieval system via processes such as scanning, manual keying or electronic data transfer in order to process large amounts of data.
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
use word processing software
Use computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Software & Technologies & Knowledge areas
Software & Technologies
5AM Glassbox Translational ResearchAllscripts healthcare automation softwareAutocodersC#C++Citrix cloud computing softwareClearTrialClinical trial management softwareDrug coding softwareDZS Software Solutions ClinPlusElectronic data capture EDC softwareePharmaSolutions eMVREpicCare Ambulatory Electronic Medical Records (EMR) softwareEpic SystemsExtensible markup language XMLFortress Medical ClindexGoIBM SPSS StatisticsInforSense InforSenseInvivo Data EPX ePRO Management System
Knowledge areas
  • documentation types

    The characteristics of internal and external documentation types aligned with the product life cycle and their specific content types.

  • query languages

    The field of standardised computer languages for retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information.

  • resource description framework query language

    The query languages such as SPARQL which are used to retrieve and manipulate data stored in Resource Description Framework format (RDF).

  • ABBYY FineReader

    The computer program ABBYY FineReader is software that electronically converts printed and typed images into machine-encoded text so that documents can be electronically stored, edited and digitally displayed.

  • data models

    The techniques and existing systems used for structuring data elements and showing relationships between them, as well as methods for interpreting the data structures and relationships.

  • data storage

    The physical and technical concepts of how digital data storage is organised in specific schemes both locally, such as hard-drives and random-access memories (RAM) and remotely, via network, internet or cloud.

Cross-sector skills
  • database
Essential skills
entering and transforming information
  • maintain data entry requirements

    Uphold conditions for data entry. Follow procedures and apply data program techniques.

  • process data

    Enter information into a data storage and data retrieval system via processes such as scanning, manual keying or electronic data transfer in order to process large amounts of data.

analysing and evaluating information and data
  • apply statistical analysis techniques

    Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.

managing, gathering and storing digital data
  • perform data cleansing

    Detect and correct corrupt records from data sets, ensure that the data become and remain structured according to guidelines.

using word processing, publishing and presentation software
  • use word processing software

    Use computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.

protecting privacy and personal data
  • apply information security policies

    Implement policies, methods and regulations for data and information security in order to respect confidentiality, integrity and availability principles.

Skill DNA

Skill DNA

Work personality traits and values that define this role

Key traits you need
Attention to Detail Integrity Dependability Cooperation Analytical Thinking Persistence Achievement/Effort Leadership Initiative Stress Tolerance Adaptability/Flexibility Self-Control Social Orientation Independence Concern for Others Innovation
Key rewards you can expect
AchievementWorking Condit…RecognitionRelationshipsSupportIndependence
Career progression

Growth Pathways & Similar Roles

Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What skills are most important for a data entry clerk?
Accuracy, attention to detail, typing proficiency, and familiarity with computer systems are crucial. Strong organizational skills and the ability to work efficiently are also highly valued.
Is this a good career choice for someone looking to change careers?
Yes! Data entry clerk positions are often accessible and require on-the-job training. It's a great entry point into office administration or data management roles, and the skills you gain are transferable.
What kind of work environment can I expect as a data entry clerk?
Most data entry clerk positions are employment-based, meaning you’ll typically work as an employee within an organization. The work environment is generally an office setting, often requiring prolonged periods of sitting and using a computer.