Data Entry Clerks

Because of improvements in data-processing technology that enable businesses to process greater volumes of information with fewer workers, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for data entry clerks will decline by 23 percent from 2018 to 2028. Jobs are becoming limited, for example, because most computer systems can now send information directly to another computer system without the need for a data entry clerk to input the information a second time. In addition, the widespread use of personal computers, which permit numerous employees to enter data directly, have also diminished the need for skilled entry personnel. Computer scanners, which read handwritten and typewritten information directly from source documents, and voice recognition technology are making data entry clerks obsolete. More businesses are also contracting temporary and staffing services instead of hiring full-time data entry clerks. Despite these advances in technology, the need for data entry clerks will continue in some businesses.