Data Technician: Salary and Career Facts
Research what it takes to become a data technician. Learn about training, job duties, the job outlook and salary to find out if this is the career for you.
What is a Data Technician?
Data technicians, also known as keypunch technicians or data entry specialists, enter alphanumeric data into computer systems or edit existing information. They may work with documents like bills, checks, and sales reports and record pertinent data. They must also store the recorded data in a secure location and sometimes review the data to make sure there are no errors. The table below outlines important job information.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Education Required</b></td><td> High school diploma or equivalent</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Skills</b></td><td> Attention to detail, accuracy, word processing and database software, keyboarding</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2020-2030)</b></td><td> 1% decline or lower*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $34,440**</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *O-Net Online, **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics </i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatEducationWillINeedToBecomeADataTechnician">What Education Will I Need to Become a Data Technician?</h3><p>Data technician training is often provided on the job. Although formal training is usually not required, you may be able to increase your professional opportunities by completing courses in typing, database management software and the use of word processing programs. You can find these courses offered by business schools and community colleges.
</p><p>Some community colleges offer data entry certificate programs, and others offer associate's degrees in office technology. Your courses may include personal computer applications and keyboarding. Other training opportunities may exist through temporary help employment agencies.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatJobDutiesWillIHave">What Job Duties Will I Have?</h3><p>You'll use a computer keyboard to input data from various documents and sources, including medical records, statistical tables and sales reports, depending on your employer. Much of this information is entered into pre-set forms in a computer system. Accuracy is very important, so you'll have to verify that you're entering the information correctly. You'll correct or report any errors to your supervisor. You may also use other equipment like scanners and photo composing perforators to digitize data.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsTheJobOutlookForDataTechnicians">What is the Job Outlook for Data Technicians?</h3><p>O-Net Online anticipated that jobs as data entry keyers would decline by 1% or lower between 2020 and 2030. This was due in part to advances in technology; however, positions were expected to become available as a result of workers leaving the field or transferring to other jobs.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSalaryCanIExpectToEarn">What Salary Can I Expect to Earn?</h3><p>According to the BLS, the median annual wage for data entry keyers was $34,440 in 2020 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Employment services was the industry contracting the most data entry keyers in 2020, and that industry paid an average of $33,880.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3><p>If you are interested in a career as a data technician, there are some other similar jobs you may want to consider. You could work in many different types of offices as an office clerk. This involves completing a number of administrative tasks, including data entry and generally staying organized. For those who are interested in working primarily with numbers, you may want to be a payroll or timekeeping clerk. These workers keep track of employees' wages and how much they work.</p>