Data Entry Specialist Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$35,000
national median salary
$33,000 to $37,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $41,340 for Data Entry Keyers (SOC 43-9021) across the United States, based on 127,080 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$31,200
25th percentile
$35,760
Median
$41,340
75th percentile
$48,410
90th percentile
$58,790
Workers surveyed
127,080
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$39,850
May 2025 release
$41,340
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Data Entry Keyers (SOC 43-9021) rather than Data Entry Specialistspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 43-9021Highest Paying
$49,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$37,000
Boise, ID
Lowest Paying
$27,000
Jackson, MS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 43-9021. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Data Entry Specialist salary in the United States at $35,000 in 2026, within a range of $33,000 to $37,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $49,000, while Boise offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Data Entry Specialist compensation is driven by certification depth, tooling expertise, and the criticality of the function to revenue or compliance.
Data Entry Specialist salary by city.
Skills that increase Data Entry Specialist pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Data Entry Specialists based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $4,900 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$4,900 per year
≈ +$4,550 per year
≈ +$4,200 per year
≈ +$3,850 per year
≈ +$3,850 per year
≈ +$3,500 per year
≈ +$3,500 per year
≈ +$3,150 per year
What you should know.
Data Entry Specialist compensation is driven by certification depth, tooling expertise, and the criticality of the function to revenue or compliance. Base salary carries most of the total compensation, with bonuses adding roughly 5% in a typical year. Within office administration, industry context (legal, medical, financial) and certifications shift the band; executive-level support roles command the premium.
Data Entry Specialists progress from entry to senior in 4 to 6 years, with lead and manager levels requiring 8+ years plus either deeper technical specialization or broader organizational scope. Data Entry Specialists specifically are entry-level; the first 2 to 3 years build foundational skills before the mid-level transition.
Total compensation for Data Entry Specialists runs roughly $40K at median when factoring base + typical bonus (~5% of base). Base salary carries most of the compensation; benefits (healthcare, 401(k) match, PTO) add an estimated 15–25% in imputed value on top. Benefits and time-off policies vary by employer; candidates should factor them into offer comparisons alongside cash compensation.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Data Entry Specialists typically earn $30,000 (15% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Data Entry Specialist pay.
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