The 12 Best Online Data Entry Jobs and What You Can Earn

If you’ve been thinking about picking up a work-at-home job to make some extra money but aren’t a writer or web developer, don’t worry. There are still online jobs where you can make money from your sofa. Being a data entry worker could be a great fit for you.

As a work-at-home data entry clerk, you can set your own schedule, work in your PJs, and earn just as much money as a writer. If you aren’t sure where to start your data entry job search or what you’ll need to be successful, keep reading.

This article will walk you through everything you need to know about data entry work including what it is, the top websites to look for work, and what you’ll need in terms of skills and equipment in order to be successful. By the end, you should feel confident that you can take on data entry jobs from home.

What Is Data Entry?

A data entry job is entering data from one source into another using a computer. This can be nearly anything including typing up information that had previously only be stored in hard copy, but nowadays is more often work like transcription or subtitling.

Some companies have data entry as part of administrative assistant job descriptions but most outsource data entry work. There is now an entire industry whose business model is to serve as a middleman between these companies and home-based, independent contractors who provide data entry services. There are job listing websites you can use to find companies who need your help with data entry.

Top Data Entry Job Websites and Companies

While there are plenty of data entry scams, there are also plenty of legit companies that are connecting data entry workers and companies who need their help. Going through the list below should get you enough data entry work from home clients to fill your schedule, regardless of whether you’re looking for full-time or part-time work.

FlexJobs

FlexJobs is one of the biggest platforms for finding work-from-home data entry jobs. Every job on FlexJobs is vetted so there are zero scam job postings on their job board. You’ll apply directly to the company that is looking for a data entry specialist and be paid directly by that company.

Upwork

If you’re looking for entry-level data entry work, Upwork is a great website for you. There are plenty of jobs for complete novices so you can dip your toe in and see if you like data entry. You’ll bid on each job individually so you can pick and choose the ones that look appealing to you. These jobs may not pay much, but they can lead to more lucrative work on the Upwork platform or be leveraged as experience on any of the other platforms.

Fiverr

One of the top freelance marketplaces, Fiverr is a great spot to find lots of work-at-home jobs, including data entry, translation, writing, transcribing, photo editing, and more. One of the best things about Fiverr is that instead of applying to data entry jobs, clients who need your help will contact you.

Clickworker

While signing up for Clickworker is free, you’ll need to fill out your profile and take some tests to see what sort of data entry jobs you qualify for. Even if you don’t perform well on the tests, if you consistently deliver great work, Clickworker will increase your rating and the number of jobs you get. Clickworker will pay you either weekly or monthly through PayPal.

Amazon Mechanical Turk

Amazon Mechanical Turk is the biggest microtask website and has an abundance of data entry job listings. You’ll need to register with the site in order to choose HITs (Human Intelligence Tasks) that appeal to you. Certain tasks may require you to complete a qualifier. You get paid via Amazon gift card or bank deposit when your work is accepted.

Amazon MTurk does have a few shady tasks among their thousands of available tasks so don’t pick up any HITs that feel suspicious. Avoid handing over personal details like your address, Social Security number, or bank account information to prevent identity theft fishing and don’t give anyone your phone number or email address to avoid being spammed.

SigTrack

Mostly offering seasonal work around the election cycles, SigTrack hires independent contractors to help with voting-related information such as processing voter registration and tracking whether petition signers are voters. SigTrack workers must maintain at least 98% accuracy to keep their contract and are paid based on accuracy. SigTrack only hires American citizens and the application process includes a short Skype call to establish your identity.

Microworkers

Like Fiverr, Microworkers has a lot of small tasks available, many of which are data entry. Some of their microtasks even pay better than similar work on other sites. You’ll only be paid for approved work, but Microworkers will show you the percentage of previous jobs the poster approved, so you don’t waste your time on difficult clients. Once your $10 payout threshold is met, your earnings from completed jobs will be transferred to your PayPal account.

Axion Data Entry Services

Axion Data Entry Services is a platform for experienced data entry contractors who have two or more years of experience and can type 50+ words per minute. Because Axion deals with highly sensitive information, you’ll be required to pass and pay for a background check, which costs $30. You’ll also need to pay a listing fee of $5, $7, or $10, depending on how long you’d like to be registered in their database.

While Axion is one of the few platforms that costs money to use, many data entry workers find it to be worth the nominal expense to know all the listings are legitimate data entry jobs, not scams.

Working Solutions

While most of the jobs on Working Solutions aren’t data entry jobs, they do pop up occasionally and it’s free to join. You’ll need to fill out an application and take several assessments. Working Solutions will contact you within two weeks to let you know whether you’ve been accepted or rejected. If you’ve been accepted, you can suggest yourself for programs that appeal to you. (This can be a great way to find virtual assistant or call center jobs, which are both other great ways to bring in extra income.)

Scribie

You’ll have to apply to use Scribie to select files, but the process is pretty easy and once you’re accepted, you’ll be able to log in and choose among the available files. Payment is $10 per audio hour to transcribe, which isn’t amazing but isn’t terrible when you’re starting out. You’ll be paid for completed work via PayPal.

The Smart Crowd

The Smart Crowd has several work-from-home careers, many of which are data entry positions. There is no cost to joining as a service provider, but the pay rate depends on which of the job opportunities you take. Some jobs pay per task and others pay per hour. The Smart Crowd was formerly known as VirtualBee.

Birch Creek Communications

Birch Creek Communications is a good bet as they’re always looking for high-quality corporate transcriptionists for their corporate clients. You’ll be transcribing audio files and earning between 40 cents and $1.75 per audio minute, depending on the job, the turnaround time, and the quality of your transcription work.

The Skills and Tools You Need for Data Entry Work

In order to be a successful data entry worker, you will need certain data entry skills and tools. Office jobs may provide some of the tools but if you’re planning to work at home, you’ll need to already have or be prepared to invest in these tools.

Skills

Basic Computer Skills: You’ll need to be able to install new software and keep your computer software up-to-date and your computer virus-free.

Basic Software Skills: You’ll need to know how to use very common software like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and data recording programs.

Advanced Typing Skills: At their heart, data entry jobs are typing jobs. You’ll need great typing speed and accuracy, and to be able to check your own work with precise proofreading. Many sites may ask for your word-per-minute typing rate, or WPM, in order to find out your skills as a typist.

High Level of Tolerance for Repetition: Data entry is a repetitive job so if you get bored by repetition, you’re going to hate data entry work.

High Level of Organization: The goal of data entry is to create coherence out of chaos and you’ll need to be highly organized in order to do so. Being detail oriented will make this easier for you.

Good Communication Skills: Every job requires you to communicate effectively with your colleagues and this is especially true for work-at-home jobs.

Tools

Home Computer: You can’t work online without a computer. Trust us, your tablet or phone won’t run all the software you need for a data entry work.

High-Speed Internet Access: Slow internet will make your work painfully slow and reduce your hourly rate to nothing. Get fast internet if you don’t already have it.

Common Data Processing Programs: G Suite is free with a Gmail address, which is also free. Microsoft Office costs money so you may want to wait to invest in that until you have a paying client that requires it.

A Comfortable Desk and Chair: You’re going to be sitting at that desk and in that chair for several hours a day so you should be comfortable. Find a home office setup that doesn’t negatively impact your posture or your wrist health.

A Resume: Many data entry jobs will require you to submit a resume that details your relevant experience and skills.

Go Forth and Earn

If you have the skills and tools listed above, you’re ready to start looking for a data entry job. Most data entry jobs have flexible schedules and part-time hours, so they’ll fit nicely around your current work, school, or personal commitments.

If you’re looking for full-time data entry work, all you need to do is stack a few different data entry jobs or tasks and you’ll be earning a full-time income from home in no time.

The hardest thing about a data entry job is finding one, and even that isn’t so hard thanks to the list of sites above. All you need to do is get started, so do that right now. Pick a site from the ones listed above and set up your profile. That’s all it takes to get the ball rolling.

Good luck!