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US job code 43-9021Very high change by 2035

Data Entry Keyers

Machines can already do 71% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 91%. Most of the work is changing now.

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Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%20262035205071%

Data Entry Keyers in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 71% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 67% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 91% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 127,080 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $41,340 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 64% for contact with people.
  • Also called: Data Capture Specialist, Data Entry Clerk, Data Entry Machine Operator, Data Entry Operator.
  • Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.

Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.

Machines can do today
71%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
91%of the tasks
US median pay
$41,340a year, May 2025
US jobs
127k127,080 people
Contact with people
64%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

How the work changes, task by task

The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Read source documents such as canceled checks, sales reports, or bills, and enter data in specific data fields or onto tapes or disks for subsequent entry, using keyboards or scanners54%
85% to 97%
Compare data with source documents, or re-enter data in verification format to detect errors13%
68% to 94%
Compile, sort, and verify the accuracy of data before it is entered10%
70% to 95%
Locate and correct data entry errors, or report them to supervisors9%
50% to 78%
Store completed documents in appropriate locations5%
20% to 60%
Select materials needed to complete work assignments3%
20% to 60%
Maintain logs of activities and completed work3%
70% to 95%
Load machines with required input or output media, such as paper, cards, disks, tape, or Braille media3%
20% to 60%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills data entry keyers use most, most used first.

Professionalism and work ethicOperations and processCommunicationInterpersonal skillsLegal knowledge

Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace

How much data entry keyers rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, low confidence.

  • Go-to problem solver2/10
  • Trust and reliability6/10
  • Know-how about the organisation5/10
  • Network and relationships2/10
  • Mentoring and developing others1/10
  • Culture and morale1/10
  • Initiative beyond the role1/10
  • Calm in a crisis2/10
  • Bridge between teams1/10
  • Reputation and influence1/10

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

What should you do about it?

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Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Data Entry Keyers?

Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of data entry keyers?

Machines can do 71% of the tasks of data entry keyers today and 91% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.

Sources and citing

Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 43-9021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, low confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Data Entry Keyers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/data-entry-keyers/