Data Entry & Applications
Quick Facts: Data Entry & Applications Training
Where it's offered
Data Entry & Applications programs are offered at 2 schools across 2 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $46,716/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 3 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Data Entry & Applications — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 2 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 40/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Data Entry & Applications Graduates Do
Your workday will be centered on a computer, where you'll focus on speed and precision. As a data entry keyer, you'll take information from sources like paper forms or invoices and input it into digital systems. As a word processor, you’ll use programs like Microsoft Word to format complex reports or legal documents, ensuring every detail aligns with specific style guides. Initially, you’ll handle straightforward tasks while building a reputation for accuracy.
Read more
With experience, you can move into roles with more responsibility, handling sensitive medical or legal data or becoming a specialist in a particular software suite. This progression allows your earnings to grow from an entry-level wage toward the median for seasoned professionals. While the overall number of these jobs is shrinking, thousands of positions still open annually to replace workers who are retiring or moving on.
It’s important to note that AI and automation are significantly transforming this work, handling many routine input tasks. The modern role is shifting from pure manual entry to quality control. You’ll be the human expert who verifies the accuracy of automated data, corrects errors, and processes complex or handwritten documents that software still struggles with.
Closely-related paths include Liberal Arts & Humanities, Legal Studies, and Religious Studies, which share overlapping job markets and training components.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 3 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Data Entry & Applications. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Information Management (Word Processing) (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1072CB |
Competency | Competency | $40K – $47,850 – $56K | -36.1% |
|
Photocomposing-Perforat-Ma
RAPIDS 285 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $35K – $39,850 – $47K | -25.9% |
|
Telegraphic-Typewriter Oper
RAPIDS 951 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $40K – $47,850 – $56K | -36.1% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Data Entry & Applications Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Data Entry & Applications is offered at 2 schools across 2 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Data Entry & Applications Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Data Entry & Applications programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
2 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue College Bellevue, WA |
45 45–49 |
| 2 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL |
36 36–40 |
Highest Earning Data Entry & Applications Programs
Schools where Data Entry & Applications graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue College | $48,416/yr | 45 |
| College of DuPage | $45,016/yr | 36 |
Best ROI for Data Entry & Applications
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Data Entry & Applications.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue College | 111.5x | $48,416/yr | 45 |
| College of DuPage | 51.1x | $45,016/yr | 36 |
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