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Job outlook for data clerks in the United States
Data clerk job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected data clerk job growth rate is -5% from 2018-2028.
About -130,800 new jobs for data clerks are projected over the next decade.
Data clerk salaries have increased 16% for data clerks in the last 5 years.
There are over 41,884 data clerks currently employed in the United States.
There are 147,935 active data clerk job openings in the US.
The average data clerk salary is $31,550.
Are data clerk jobs in demand?
Data Clerk job and salary trends over time
Data Clerk jobs over time
Data Clerk job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 41,884 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 45,115 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 47,816 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 48,419 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 48,461 | 0.01% |
Average data clerk salary over time
Data Clerk salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,550 | $15.17 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $30,398 | $14.61 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $29,229 | $14.05 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | $28,130 | $13.52 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $27,309 | $13.13 | +3.4% |
Data Clerk jobs by state
Most common states for data clerks
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,152 | 31% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 215 | 29% |
| 3 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 953 | 27% |
| 4 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 852 | 27% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 237 | 27% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,475 | 26% |
| 7 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 729 | 25% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 473 | 25% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,336 | 24% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 740 | 24% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 316 | 24% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,361 | 22% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 906 | 22% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 386 | 22% |
| 15 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,402 | 21% |
| 16 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,283 | 21% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 162 | 21% |
| 18 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,609 | 20% |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,570 | 20% |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,172 | 20% |
Most common cities for data clerks
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennesaw | 1 | 3% | $25,644 |
| 2 | Ellicott City | 1 | 2% | $33,117 |
| 3 | Brownsville | 2 | 1% | $26,178 |
| 4 | Urban Honolulu | 2 | 1% | $33,593 |
| 5 | Baytown | 1 | 1% | $26,018 |
| 6 | Charleston | 1 | 1% | $25,408 |
| 7 | Philadelphia | 4 | 0% | $28,122 |
| 8 | San Antonio | 3 | 0% | $26,317 |
| 9 | Albuquerque | 1 | 0% | $23,115 |
| 10 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $32,931 |
| 11 | Fort Wayne | 1 | 0% | $27,270 |
| 12 | Garland | 1 | 0% | $26,174 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $26,810 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $35,763 |
| 15 | Omaha | 1 | 0% | $28,515 |
| 16 | Oxnard | 1 | 0% | $35,964 |
Data Clerk job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of data clerk experts
Missouri University of Science & Technology
California State University Channel Islands
Ohio University - Lancaster Campus
Arkansas State University
College of Charleston
West Liberty University
The Citadel
Christi Patton Luks
Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic AffairsMissouri University of Science & Technology
Linda & Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Data Clerk job market given the pandemic?
Christi Patton Luks: I think that the pandemic has proven to everyone that online education can work. I think this will increase the number of undergraduates that want to take a course or two online while they are working on internship or co-op positions and professionals returning to school virtually for additional credentials and training. Some engineering jobs have been moved to work-from-home successfully, but many still need to be on site. Flexibility will continue, however.
What's a good job out of college for Data Clerks?
Christi Patton Luks: A good job out of college is one that can be adapted to the individual's skills and interests and encourages them to stretch. Frequently, students think they want to work in a particular type of job. Once they have it, they discover that it was not what they thought it would be. Many companies rotate new employees through a variety of positions. Those are great for helping people find their own hidden talents. I know that I have discovered abilities that I would not have even attempted when I was 20.
Amanda Carpenter
DirectorCalifornia State University Channel Islands
Department of Career Development and Alumni Engagement
What technical skills for a Data Clerk stand out to employers?
Amanda Carpenter: -Data analytics skills are critical technical skills that stand out to employers in today's market. According to NACE (2018), the use of data analytics is projected to have the most significant impact on an organization's operational efficiency and revenue generation.
-Source (NACE): www.naceweb.org
Brandy Bailey
Career CoachOhio University - Lancaster Campus
Student Services, Career Services
What soft skills should all Data Clerks possess?
Brandy Bailey: Soft skills may vary depending on the employer, industry, and personal opinions. My biggest ones are communication skills, adaptability, self-awareness, teamwork, problem-solving, intercultural competency, creativity or innovation, and time management.
Dr. Ferebee Tunno Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorArkansas State University
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Data Clerk job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Ferebee Tunno Ph.D.: It will probably be a plus going forward for people looking for a job in academics to have experience with apps like Zoom or Webex. This way, they know how to participate in remote meetings and classes if and when needed (e.g., if a heavy snow precludes people from being on-campus for a day or two).
The pandemic has also exposed online courses as a pale substitute for face-to-face learning. This is not to say that online courses can't be created and conducted well, and of course we all understand why we had to temporarily go remote in 2020, but once the pandemic begins to recede, I predict that the demand for online courses will decline.
What experience really stands out on Data Clerk resumes?
Jacob Craig Ph.D.: I believe strongly in dexterity and a language of expertise. That means that if a student can show they can adapt to new demands by learning a new way of working, learning about a new audience, learning how to address a new purpose, learning a new genre or style, and learning a new technology, that employee attractive. Especially at the entry-level, the ability to learn and adapt is valuable. Being able to talk about their experience using a persuasive vocabulary is often useful. For instance, if students can describe their approach to communication without using cliches (short and sweet, clear) and something along the lines of purpose, audience, situation, genre, medium--that's persuasive.
Dr. Darrin Cox
Professor of HistoryWest Liberty University
College of Liberal Arts
What Data Clerk skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Darrin Cox: Reading. Then read some more. Read a wide array of materials from multiple perspectives related to your fields of interest and on topics that impact your immediate world. Reading will increase your specific knowledge in these areas, introduce you to competing interpretations, and hopefully stimulate critical thinking as you reconcile new information and perspectives into your own conclusions. Oh, and then read some more. Did I mention you should read?
Dr. Todd Wittman Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorThe Citadel
Department of Mathematical Sciences
What skills stand out on Data Clerk resumes?
Dr. Todd Wittman Ph.D.: I would strongly recommend any mathematics major to get a good background in statistics and computer programming, even if that is not going to be their primary field of study. You can still concentrate on the topics that interest you, but it is important to diversify your skill set.
Getting involved in a research project tells a prospective employer that you have done work beyond the classroom. It shows that you can tackle a difficult problem that does not have an answer in the back of the textbook. At most colleges and universities, faculty are eager to work with bright undergraduate students on projects. Students are often intimidated by their faculty, but it does not hurt to ask. It might result in an interesting research experience, internship, or even a lead on a job after graduation.