Why Data Entry is Still A Viable Job Role

What do you think about when you hear the words data entry? Do they conjure up images of early 2000s computers and Microsoft Excel? Do you picture tired number crunchers working late into the night or bored interns copying values across from a long list?

Although spreadsheets are still one of the most common and versatile software tools any business has at its disposal, the need for manual data entry has somewhat declined in recent years.

At least, that’s what you’d think from a glance at employment statistics. Dig a little deeper, however, and you’ll find the situation is slightly more complicated than it might seem.

The Decline of Data Entry Professionals

Just take a look at some job listings and you’ll see that data entry certainly isn’t the in demand role it once was. Just a decade ago, data entry jobs were vital for many companies and made a great entry-level role for those looking to build a white collar career.

So what’s changed in the last ten years? Have we finally innovated our way out of the spreadsheet? Have our sophisticated modern data techniques driven all those little white squares into obsolescence? 

Well, not really. Despite the desires of a handful of would-be software pioneers, the spreadsheet is just as powerful a tool now as it has ever been. What’s changed is IT literacy.

When data entry first found its way into the lexicon, it was able to sit neatly alongside words like typist and transcriber. These days, both of those roles still technically exist but they’re certainly not the skilled disciplines they once were. In 2024, typing is as commonplace a skill as handwriting while the majority of transcription is, at the very least, computer aided with a human proofreader.

And this is ultimately the same thing that’s happening to data entry. Although the skills required for data entry are more technical than those required to be a typist, they are also foundational to many modern job roles.

In short, if you’re looking to pin the death of data entry jobs on anyone, then your main suspect should be the rise of IT literacy.

That being said, the role hasn’t gone the way of the dinosaur just yet and there’s good reason to believe it may even be due for a return to form.

A Data Driven Business Landscape

Being able to access, manage, and accurately interpret large amounts of data is one of the biggest advantages a company can have. It tells you all about your demographic, how to access them, and how to ensure that they choose your product over another. And the backbone of that process is, when you get right down to it, data entry.

Add to this the recent rise in AI solutions – all of which are based in handling large data sets – and this has led to a huge wave of demand for people who are comfortable and skilled at handling data.

Now, the real in-demand job role right now is data analyst – if you have those skills then this really is the time to capitalise on them. That said, data entry is still incredibly important and can absolutely be a pathway into becoming a data analyst.

A data entry role will teach you incredibly valuable knowledge about how to work with and understand data structures. Not to mention you’ll likely end up working hand in hand with analysts getting direct experience of that role too.

All told it could be a great start to an incredible career.

Building A Career with Data Entry

If you’re experienced in data entry, then you’re in a great position right now to choose your direction. As well as data analysis and AI, you could also monetise your skills by working freelance for small companies or even becoming a data entry mentor.

Once you’ve spent some time working in excel, data entry might feel like second nature but for those who are new to the field it can be surprisingly daunting.

We talked before about the influence of IT literacy but it’s worth noting here that standards of IT literacy can vary a lot and those looking to learn data entry may find even the basics daunting if they haven’t got the right background. Even for those who have the IT skills, there’s a lot to learn about the industry.

As a mentor, you’ll be able to guide people towards their first job roles, helping them to start their careers while you take control of yours.

Sign up with Career Navig8r today and start your journey as a data entry mentor!