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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
Don't just look at the top-paying city — look at the cost-adjusted column. The national median salary for Data Entry Clerks in 2026 is $43,064, with entry-level positions averaging $31,006 and senior roles reaching $61,151. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $78,440, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
A career as a Data Entry Clerk sits at the intersection of Office & Admin and Administrative. Most professionals enter with High school diploma, and the field is characterized by declining. The work itself is office/remote. Understanding that context matters: it explains why certain markets pay premiums and others lag.
$47,730 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Data Entry Clerk in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $78,440 — $47,730 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($30,710). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. This pay range tells a story about demand — and it's a good one for job seekers.
The salary distribution for Data Entry Clerks reveals a $30,145 spread from entry to senior. At $43,064, the median sits $37,303 below the national median household income of $80,367. Context matters: this is an individual salary, compared against household income. The P10 floor of $31,006 represents early-career or part-time positions, while the $61,151 ceiling captures experienced professionals in premium markets.
State averages smooth out the extremes — here's what they reveal: The top 3 paying cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Irvine) average $73,260 — while the bottom 3 (Toledo, Detroit, Akron) average $30,957. That $42,303 gap means choosing the right city could be the equivalent of a major promotion. That salary-to-cost ratio is genuinely competitive.
A Data Entry Clerk in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $78,440 — $47,730 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($30,710). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $31,006 | $43,064 | $61,151 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £17,043 | £23,670 | £33,611 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$24,950 | CA$34,653 | CA$49,207 |
| Australia | 13 | A$27,326 | A$37,953 | A$53,894 |
| Sweden | 24 | 175,954 kr | 244,381 kr | 347,021 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $37,423 | $51,976 | $73,806 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $36,164 | $50,228 | $71,323 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $35,964 | $49,950 | $70,929 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $33,300 | $46,250 | $65,675 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $32,900 | $45,695 | $64,887 |
| Washington | 8 | $32,268 | $44,816 | $63,639 |
| New York | 5 | $30,369 | $42,180 | $59,895 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $30,370 | $42,180 | $59,896 |
| Florida | 22 | $30,140 | $41,860 | $59,442 |
| Colorado | 11 | $29,619 | $41,137 | $58,415 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $29,570 | $41,070 | $58,319 |
| Nevada | 5 | $29,517 | $40,996 | $58,214 |
| Arizona | 12 | $29,371 | $40,793 | $57,925 |
| Oregon | 5 | $29,304 | $40,700 | $57,794 |
| Idaho | 3 | $29,215 | $40,577 | $57,619 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $28,984 | $40,256 | $57,164 |
| Utah | 4 | $28,904 | $40,145 | $57,006 |
| Virginia | 7 | $28,429 | $39,484 | $56,068 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $28,061 | $38,973 | $55,342 |
| Alaska | 1 | $27,972 | $38,850 | $55,167 |
| Illinois | 5 | $27,652 | $38,406 | $54,536 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $26,966 | $37,452 | $53,182 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $26,640 | $37,000 | $52,540 |
| Montana | 1 | $26,640 | $37,000 | $52,540 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $26,551 | $36,877 | $52,365 |
| Texas | 40 | $26,420 | $36,695 | $52,107 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $26,374 | $36,630 | $52,015 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $26,241 | $36,445 | $51,752 |
| Georgia | 6 | $26,152 | $36,322 | $51,577 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $26,107 | $36,260 | $51,489 |
| Kansas | 4 | $25,974 | $36,075 | $51,227 |
| Michigan | 6 | $25,885 | $35,952 | $51,051 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $25,575 | $35,520 | $50,439 |
| Maryland | 1 | $25,574 | $35,520 | $50,438 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $25,308 | $35,150 | $49,913 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $25,308 | $35,150 | $49,913 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $24,642 | $34,225 | $48,600 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $24,509 | $34,040 | $48,337 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $24,176 | $33,578 | $47,680 |
| Missouri | 4 | $24,176 | $33,578 | $47,680 |
| Alabama | 5 | $24,083 | $33,448 | $47,496 |
| Indiana | 3 | $23,710 | $32,930 | $46,761 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $23,710 | $32,930 | $46,761 |
| Iowa | 2 | $23,443 | $32,560 | $46,235 |
| Ohio | 6 | $23,399 | $32,498 | $46,148 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $22,378 | $31,080 | $44,134 |
The state salary map for Data Entry Clerks: California at $51,976, Massachusetts at $50,228, Hawaii at $49,950 lead the pack. The bottom tier — Mississippi ($31,080), Ohio ($32,498), Iowa ($32,560) — shows how regional economics reshape compensation. Across all 46 states with data, the state-level spread alone is $20,896.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($78,440 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $37,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $78,440 | 212 | $37,000 | $49,697 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $73,260 | 198 | $37,000 | $46,742 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $68,080 | 184 | $37,000 | $43,787 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $66,970 | 181 | $37,000 | $43,153 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $65,860 | 178 | $37,000 | $42,520 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $65,490 | 177 | $37,000 | $42,309 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $65,490 | 177 | $37,000 | $42,309 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $64,010 | 173 | $37,000 | $41,465 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $64,010 | 173 | $37,000 | $41,465 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $62,530 | 169 | $37,000 | $40,620 |
The $30,145 gap between P10 and P90 represents the earning trajectory of a Data Entry Clerk career. Senior-level earners make 2.0× what entry-level professionals do — a solid progression that justifies the upfront investment. In the Administrative sector, declining, which shapes both starting salaries and long-term ceiling.
The weighted national median salary for Data Entry Clerks is $43,064 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $31,006, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $61,151.
The highest-paying city for Data Entry Clerks is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $78,440. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($78,440), Santa Clara ($73,260), Irvine ($68,080). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Data Entry Clerk salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $30,710. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Data Entry Clerks (10th percentile) average $31,006 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $56,477. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Data Entry Clerks average $61,151 nationally — $30,145 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Data Entry Clerks can earn up to $111,385.
The top-paying states for Data Entry Clerks are California ($51,976 median), Massachusetts ($50,228 median), Hawaii ($49,950 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Data Entry Clerk involves High school diploma. The field is in the Administrative sector (Office & Admin), and the career outlook is declining. Work style is typically office/remote.
With a national median of $43,064 and representation across 288 metro areas, Data Entry Clerk offers a foundation that can be strengthened by strategic location choices. The $30,145 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: declining.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.