Have you ever worked from home? In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, it’s far more likely that you’ll answer yes to that question. The global rise in remote work represents a dramatic acceleration of one of the most recognizable trends in the work culture of the last 20-30 years. In this article, we put our focus on remote data entry jobs: with highly flexible levels of time commitment and qualification requirements, it is a viable career that allows you to work at home, on your schedule.
Remote work shows no sign of decrease in popularity. If you are considering a career change, moving to partially or fully remote is absolutely something you should think about. And you’re in luck: plenty of remote work opportunities are available even now!
Remote data entry jobs are very popular as they can work for anybody from students and stay at home parents to working professionals seeking a little extra cash.
What is Remote Data Entry?
Remote data entry jobs, much like onsite data entry specialist roles, are quite self-explanatory: workers update and maintain databases through entering new data and monitoring existing data. Compiling accurate data and ensuring that the requested information is readily available to the client are key.
The exact nature of the work however varies by industry. Sales data entry, for example, consists largely of entering sales data, such as transaction details. Healthcare data entry mostly means maintaining patient records. Hospitality and travel data entry may require you to keep track of bookings, schedules, and cancellations. The spectrum is as varied as the range of industries.
High Volume and in Demand
As companies undergo digital transformations, their legacy systems and existing data must be converted to valuable digital data points. This occurs across industries and company sizes, so there is no shortage of data entry and data processing positions.
What’s more, there is likely no expiration date on data entry work: database maintenance is required on a constant basis in order to ensure the efficient management of every business function, from outreach to analytics to billing. Without accessible reliable data, many operations would cease to function.
Because of this importance, data entry specialists have long been in demand, and in increasingly high volume. Every industry is currently facing this twofold need for data entry clerks to both continue existing functions and streamline transformation.
In sum: There has likely been no better time to get into data entry!
What Do I Need to Get Started?
The beauty of remote data entry is just how flexible it is. Virtually the only tools you need are a computer and working internet (though a VPN can also be helpful). If you require access to specific software or platforms, the company that hires you will provide that. Proficiency in common software like Microsoft Word and Excel or their Google equivalents are beneficial. The rest comes down to your personal language and typing skills, basic computer skills, efficiency, organization, and attention to detail – these all add up to form your data entry skills.
Because of this flexibility, remote data entry is a viable option for virtually anyone with the aforementioned skillset. This is a particularly good job for stay-at-home parents and students who need to create their own schedules around their other commitments. It also makes for an excellent home job on the side for working professionals and is an unbeatable stop-gap position for jobseekers.
According to Lauren Bradshaw, an academic essay writer from CustomWritings, the ability to control your timetable and contract commitments means you can make this work into what you need it to be: part-time, full-time, or one-off. Data entry jobs usually require a high school diploma, though a certification or B.A. may be necessary for some industries. You do not necessarily need specific data entry experience.
Career Prospects in Data Entry
Since this is a highly competitive field with relatively low pay, if you hope to make this your full-time work, you will need to hustle.To stand out in front of recruiters, you can create an interactive portfolio, resume, and maybe even a cover letter to share with them your ideas and experience details and show them your motivation for a data entry job. Many remote data entry jobs are entry-level, which may mean lower wages, but also ample opportunity for learning about a new industry and building the foundation for your future career. They usually entail excellent on-the-job training or exposure and can be parlayed into other positions, particularly in research, data analysis, customer service, or administrative work.
If you prefer to work from home, it can be a long-term remote career. The best-paying jobs usually demand greater qualifications or experience, but you can find work-from-home transcription jobs at any level and work your way to higher pay – on your own schedule. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly wage of a remote data entry clerk is $16.22, with an average annual salary of $33,740.
Is it Legit?
There are plenty of legitimate remote data entry operator jobs on Lensa and other job boards focused on remote and flexible work. But you should be cautious before taking work. Make sure to research the company you are considering doing remote data entry work for. Check review sites and scam websites to ensure that you do not end up doing unpaid work.
A few good rules of thumb include:
- If the job description seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be familiar with the standard hourly rates. If a company promises something much higher than that in their job posting, proceed with caution.
- If a company asks you to pay-to-play, such as providing them with a significant entry fee or providing wire transfer data, you should check their reviews carefully. To note, asking for you to pay for common things like a background check or legitimate membership fees are not usually indicative of a scam.
- If they are pressuring you to start working with them, proceed carefully. This is a competitive field with a huge amount of applicants.
- If they approach you on nontraditional channels, such as Facebook or Instagram, it is likely illegitimate.
As long as you bear all this in mind, you will likely avoid disappointments in your job search. Ready to start looking for your new work? We have done a little market research for you: here is the latest list of companies offering data entry jobs on Lensa. We have also compiled the top remote data entry positions to help you start your search!
Top Online Data Entry Jobs
AccuTran Global
- Average pay: $0.004-$0.0055 per word for shorter-term projects, up to $0.40 per word for longer projects.
- Time commitment: You must commit to at least 3 hours daily. You can choose your window: 4 am to 2 pm, or 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
- Qualifications: Typing speed of 75 WPM.
- Who can apply: People in the U.S. or Canada.
- Profile approval process: You must apply to work for AccuTran Global through its website by filling out an application and completing several tests. If hired, they pay you on a regular schedule.
ClickWorker
- Average pay: Pay is per project or hour. Average pay is not available.
- Time commitment: Flexible.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications indicated, but applicants must go through the interview process.
- Who can apply: Anyone.
- Profile approval process: Apply, and if invited go through Skype interview.
Axion Data Services
- Average pay: $5-19 per hour, depending on experience and demonstrated excellence
- Time commitment: 20-25 hours per week
- Qualifications: Background check at cost, 50 WPM
- Who can apply: Anyone, but first you must submit your name to their database and pay a $5-10 fee
- Profile approval process: This is a competitive position; you should submit your name and will be vetted for opportunities.
Dion Data Services
- Average pay: Not disclosed.
- Time commitment: Flexible
- Qualifications: 60 WPM
- Who can apply: Anyone – they are providing services globally.
- Profile approval process: You must apply by email and wait for a response. They will want to know about your language skills and computer.
GoTranscript
- Average pay: Up to $0.60 per audio/video minute
- Time commitment: Flexible. Up to 6 hours are provided for transcribing 10 minutes of audio.
- Qualifications: Good English language skills
- Who can apply: Anyone, anywhere
- Profile approval process: Apply online. If accepted, you are trained before you get clients. If hired, you can choose which projects you would like to work on.
QuickTate/iDictate
- Average pay: $0.0025 per word for general tasks. $0.005 for medical tasks.
- Time commitment: Flexible.
- Qualifications: Must be able to pass a background check, at cost.
- Who can apply: Anyone.
- Profile approval process: After application, you will answer short-answer questions and undergo a background check and assessment tests in your area(s) of interest. You should also provide references.
Birch Creek Communications
- Average pay: $0.40-1 per audio minute for corporate transcription. $0.75-1.75 for legal transcription.
- Time commitment: Flexible, but usually Monday-Friday. Corporate jobs often require same-day turnaround, while legal jobs may allow 3-5 days.
- Qualifications: Past transcription or relevant experience.
- Who can apply: U.S. citizens living in the U.S.
- Profile approval process: Apply via email including state of residence, time zone, experience and availability. If accepted, you must have the following: Internet connection; phone line; computer with Windows XP or higher; USB foot pedal; headset; software such as Microsoft Word and for some legal work WordPerfect; file transfer program; instant messenger account; and specific transcription programs.
Scribie
- Average pay: $10 per audio hour transcribed. A $10 monthly bonus for every three audio hours is possible, as well as commissions based on customer referrals.
- Time commitment: Flexible. All work is first-come first-served. Assignments must be submitted within the 2-hour turnaround time window, but a 1-hour extension is permitted.
- Qualifications: English language skills and ability to transcribe across accents.
- Who can apply: from all over the world or the same time zone?
- Profile approval process: You should apply on their website and await your next steps. Your application will be accepted or rejected within one business day. If you are accepted, you will be put on the waiting list, which can take around one year, after which you should submit a sample transcription. If your sample is accepted, you will be paid for it; if it is rejected, you can retake the test up to 10 times.
Working Solutions
- Average pay: From average $9-30 per hour, depending on experience.
- Time commitment: Flexible. Can be part-time or full-time, depending on your needs and the amount of work available.
- Qualifications: Language skills and appropriate computer setup
- Who can apply: Anyone
- Profile approval process: After you apply and complete the assessment tests, you will receive notice within 24 hours. You can then apply for specific projects, and if it is accepted as a match a project-specific contract will be drawn up and you can begin working.
Explore Most-Sought-After Data Entry Jobs in Your State
Wrap-Up
With all of this opportunity out there in this high-volume field, there’s no better time than the present to start looking. We are always happy to answer your questions if you are unsure of how to start. If you are an employer looking for remote data entry talent, we have plenty of options for you as well. Sign up on Lensa today to start building your future from the comfort of your own home.
