You want to live life on your terms, starting with your employment situation. You’re over your current position and have recently begun to explore the possibility of working from home when you run across a few remote data entry positions.
How do they work? What special skills or equipment do you need? How much can you expect to be paid? And where can you find the most reputable opportunities and avoid scams? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and more.
What You’ll Need
The minimum requirements to qualify for work from home data entry jobs vary by employer. But in most instances, employers will look for individuals who:
- Have excellent communication and organization skills
- Possess a relatively high typing speed of at least 30 words per minute with little to no errors
- Are proficient in Microsoft and Google products
- Can remain focused over time even if the task at hand is redundant
Equipment Requirements
While you shouldn’t necessarily run out and purchase the latest desktop or MacBook, you want to have access to a fully-functional computer that has a number pad. The latter is particularly important if you’ll be entering numbers.
Furthermore, you shouldn’t expect the company you’re contracted with to provide Microsoft Office and Google programs. You should have them already installed and know how they operate.
Most importantly, you want to have high-speed Internet access as there’s nothing worse than a lagging connection when you’re trying to input a host of data into a system.
How Much Do Work from Home Data Entry Jobs Pay?
On average, you can expect to earn anywhere between $10 and $15 per hour as a remote data entry worker. However, some online positions pay substantially less, so it’s important to read the fine print before getting started to determine if the job is worth your while.
An important note: the demand for these types of opportunities is astronomical and there are minimal barriers to entry. Consequently, the competition is stiff and a good-paying data entry job probably won’t land in your lap, so expect to do a lot of legwork to find the best positions.
And even if you apply and don’t hear back right away, don’t worry. With the influx of applications that these companies receive daily, it could take them weeks or even months to get around to contacting you if you’re a good fit.
Top Data Entry Jobs to Earn from Home
1. Axion Data Entry Services
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, Axion Data Entry Services offers data entry solutions to companies of all sizes. They’ve been around since 1996 and serve clients in the US and abroad.
Although they only offer remote data entry opportunities on occasion, it may be worthwhile to register through their online portal so you can be considered when the need to onboard new contractors does arise.
To be eligible for consideration, you should meet the following criteria:
- Be a legal resident of the US
- Possess two or more years of data entry experience
- Have a keystroke rate of 15,000 keystrokes per hour or 50 words per minute without errors
You can register in their online database here in just minutes. But keep in mind that you’ll have to pay a nominal fee between $5 and $10 to be input into the system. And since the odds of being contacted for an opportunity are very slim, you should only move forward if you feel you’re a strong candidate for a remote data entry position.
2. DionData Solutions
With over 19 years of experience, DionData solutions is one of the top full-service data management entities in the nation. They pride themselves on fast service that exceeds their client’s needs and boasts 24-hour turnarounds on projects seven days a week.
Interested in a remote contract position with Dion Data Solutions? While they are not hiring at this time, it’s a good idea to bookmark their page and check back monthly for new openings.
3. Gorge Warehouse
Gorge Warehouse is an online retailer that sells dirt bikes, go-karts, jet skis, motorcycles, scooters, sports bikes, and more.
They’re currently accepting applications for data entry positions that pay $10.50 per hour. You’ll be tasked with posting data to their internal database and website, along with proofreading inputs. To qualify for the role, you should:
- Have a typing speed of at least 30 words per minute
- Be able to use Microsoft tools, including Access, Excel, Word, FrontPage, and Outlook
You can apply for a data entry position right over here. And if you’d like to submit a resume, you can send it to [email protected] before submitting a formal application, but only do so before you apply.
4. Xerox
Xerox offers a Virtual Office Program that allows individuals throughout the US to work from home. The program has been around for 30 years and employees over 8,000 remote workers.
Among their remote roles is a data entry/verification position, and current openings can be found on their website by searching for Virtual Office positions. Pay varies by roles, responsibilities, years of experience, and your educational background.
5. Small Tasks
Clickworker
Clickworker hires freelancers around the globe to search and categorize data, create and correct texts, participate in surveys, and perform other related jobs. It’s a flexible opportunity as you’ll have the opportunity to set your hours and work as much or as little as you’d like.
You can sign up to become a Clickworker by completing the online form. Pay varies by assignment, and you can cash out your account once you accumulate $10 or more. It doesn’t cost anything to get started, and individuals with all skill levels are invited to apply. If you have a computer and reliable internet connection, you should be good to go.
Mechanical Turk
If you shop with Amazon, why not get paid to complete simple tasks that don’t require a ton of effort? The Amazon Mechanical Turk Program allows you to do just that. As an MTurk or worker, you’ll have an array of tasks to choose from, including data processing, data verification, and clean-up, image and video processing, and information gathering,
Sounds like something you might be interested in? You can learn more about the opportunity and get started by creating a worker account. It only takes a few minutes of your time and you have the option to work when it’s convenient for you. Compensation is on a per-task basis and will be determined by the type of assignment, how long it takes to complete, and the level of difficulty.
The Smart Crowd
The Lionbridge Smart Crowd Team is comprised of individuals who’d prefer to work when it’s convenient for them. And right now, you have the opportunity to join this extensive network of over 100,000 cloud workers and complete small tasks when your schedule permits.
It’s free to join and you can expect to be compensated for your work monthly. Also, keep in mind that you’ll need to complete a placement evaluation before you can start accepting tasks.
6. Job Boards
Not interested in small tasks? Job boards are another ideal way to search for remote data entry jobs. These include Adhuntr, Craigslist, FlexJobs, Indeed, and UpWork. But when applying for any work from home opportunities found on job boards, be sure to do your due diligence to confirm they are legit opportunities and not scams disguised as the perfect role for you. More on that shortly.
How to Detect Work from Home Data Entry Scams
Warning Sign #1: You have to pay to get started.
You may have to pay for a background check before being offered work, but any other fees are a huge red flag. Companies, like Axion Data Entry Services, assess a nominal fee to be listed in their database and help ward off fraudsters. But even in this instance, forking over your money may not be worth it.
Warning Sign #2: The role advertises a ridiculously high hourly rate for compensation.
Companies aren’t spending a fortune on data entry services, so why would a company pay you $150 an hour for your time? Enough said.
Warning Sign #3: They have a failing grade with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Businesses that are accredited with the BBB are a bit more reliable than those that aren’t. But accreditation isn’t the only thing you should pay attention to. The rating is equally as important, and if it’s on the loan, the opportunity may not be worth the potential headache it could bring.
Warning Sign #4: An expensive training program must be purchased before you can get started.
Most companies will cover the cost of training once you’re hired. But if you’re being asked to purchase their “exclusive” program, they’re probably out to get your hard-earned coins and will bail as soon as you hit purchase. Or maybe they’ll stick around, but you’ll notice that the opportunities are non-existent once you complete their “exclusive” training program.
Warning Sign #5: The company conducts interviews via social media.
An online interview is to be expected with many stay-at-home jobs. But if they ask that you communicate exclusively through a social media platform, like Facebook or Instagram messenger, that’s your queue to run as fast as you can before you get scammed.
Warning Sign #6: You can’t find the company online.
Scam artists come and go, so it’s no surprise if the online company offering you a remote data entry job is here today and gone tomorrow. Another red flag: you spend countless hours searching, only to come up empty-handed. That’s a tell-tale sign that they probably don’t exist.
Other Viable Options to Earn from Home
No luck finding work from home data entry jobs? The good news is there are tons of online transcription and coding opportunities from companies, like AccuTran Global, Birch, Creek Communications, Kendall Creek Communications, Quicktate, Rev.com, and Scribbie.
You can also try your hand at freelance writing or put your vehicle to use by signing up with a ridesharing service.
Need more ideas on how to earn money from home? This list is loaded with options you can get started with today.
The Bottom Line
There are quite a few work from home data entry jobs out there, but many are hard to come by without doing extensive research. So when you do identify an opportunity, dig a little deeper to make sure it’s legit before handing over your information. Most importantly, if the role seems too good to be true, it probably is.
