Since the global pandemic of 2020, the rise in work-from-home employees has been drastic. One Upwork survey predicts that almost 36.2 million workers in the US will be working remotely by 2025. That’s an 87% increase from the pre-pandemic era!
Data encoder Work-from-home jobs do have their benefits. For example, people can enjoy a flexible work schedule. Plus, they can save time and money spent on tasks like commuting.
However, finding work from home isn’t that easy.
Despite the shift in work preference, 44% of global companies still do not allow any kind of remote work. The ever-increasing demand for remote jobs and fewer opportunities means the workforce influx goes to online platforms, making them highly competitive.
But don’t let these statistics get into your head. There are thousands of data encoder skills, who are making millions from their remote jobs, and so can you!
In this ultimate guide, we’ll discuss the fundamentals of being a data encoder responsibilities, salary expectations, how to become one, and everything in between. We’ll also go over the benefits of data encoder work-from-home jobs, how to get started, and which sites to use. Read more about data encoder duties and responsibilities.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
What Is the Role of a Data Encoder?
A data encoder is no ordinary data entry worker. The position requires immense accuracy and exceptional keyboarding skills. So, only data entry specialists can take up this job.
Essentially, a data encoder has to handle all the data-related administrative tasks. They have to sort all the information and process it into organized databases. The data can be in any form – client lists, bills, payrolls, tax documents, etc.
This is why you need to have a strong command of computer skills and a great eye for detail. There are no excuses for mistakes in data encoding. The slightest inaccuracies can trigger a series of problems for your client.
For example, uploading the wrong tax documents may put your client into legal trouble. Messing up the dates for the scheduled meetings may lead to a loss of customers. All these problems occur because the client needs the encoded data.
Clients use it as a trustworthy and reliable source to carry on their business. That said, the generic nature of the job means almost every industry has a need for data encoders!
Data Encoders Key Responsibilities
How Much Do Data Encoders Make?
Since information is present in every field, data encoders have a particularly high global demand. Hospitals, corporate firms, travel agencies, and even governmental organizations require data encoders on the team. So, there are plenty of job opportunities available to make good figures.
On average, the hourly wage for a data encoder in the United States is $33. This hourly salary can rise up to $73.08 or drop to $9.62. The definite amount depends on your experience, workload, and additional services. By this, we mean data encoders who perform other administrative tasks get paid more.
All in all, you can receive an annual salary as high as $152,000 or as low as $20,000. According to ZipRecruiter, the majority of data encoders are currently making between $25,500 and $128,000.
How Do I Become a Data Encoder?
Data encoders are specialists in data entry tasks. They are top-tier experts who can get any work done efficiently. But, this does not imply that you need to have high qualifications.
Most employers will only demand a high school diploma or GED equivalent from data encoder job seekers. So, if you’ve completed high school, you possess the necessary academic background to start working as a data encoder. What’s more important is that you should have strong internet skills.
This means that you should be proficient in using data processing software, Microsoft Word, Excel, and other common programs. You can add extra credibility to your resume by completing online data entry courses.
However, big-name companies often demand more than this. In most cases, they will expect a bachelor’s degree in subjects like data science, information technology, business, and office technology. The reason behind this is simple: a highly qualified person has more knowledge and expertise in the field.
In return, these companies offer better salary packages and benefits. You can further increase the chances of landing good opportunities by achieving an associate’s degree. Alternatively, you can build an impressive portfolio by doing internships and entry-level jobs for reputable organizations.
Soft Skills Required to Be a Data Encoder
Data encoder is not a job type that depends mainly on academic qualifications. Instead, it is more about your soft skills.
A soft skill refers to a combination of interpersonal and social skills, character traits, and professional attitude. It does not include knowledge. Some common examples include teamwork, communication, and patience.
So, employers typically prefer data encoders who have the following soft skills:
Why Should You Choose Work From Home Jobs?
Now you’ve understood the basics of being a data encoder, let’s address the elephant in the room. Why should you choose remote data encoder jobs? You can easily find a 9 to 5 position at an office, right?
Well, there are plenty of reasons that make working from home a better option. These include:
1. Companies prefer outsourcing data entry tasks.
First, the majority of data encoder jobs are remote. It’s because companies like to free up their management teams by outsourcing data-relevant tasks. Instead, their teams can focus on more valuable, high-revenue-generating work. So, there are better opportunities available to work from home or remote data encoders.
2. You can have a flexible work schedule.
When working from home, you are no longer confined within a workspace or bound to the 9 to 5 routine. You can decide where and when to work. Some employers may even let you decide the number of hours you want to work.
This particular benefit helps relieve stress and gives you more control over your life. Want to take a break and meditate? Is there a kid you need to pick up from school or a dentist appointment? No worries at all – you can give time to everything with a flexible work routine!
3. You can boost productivity and efficiency.
Did you know remote employees work one more day per week and are 47% more productive? It’s because these people do not encounter in-office distractions like chatty colleagues, impromptu meetings, and general noise. Plus, the flexible schedule lets them manage things that relieve stress and boost overall well-being.
4. You can save time and money.
Work-from-home employees do not have to travel to and from the office. It means they save all the extra time and money spent commuting in comparison to office employees. That can be around 8.5 hours a week and $2,000 to $5,000 a year!
Are There Any Special Requirements for Remote Jobs?
Yes, there are some special requirements for remote jobs. While these do not impact the ability to land a job, understanding them can help make your work-from-home life easy and simple.
When working from home, your two lives collide. There is no separation between work and personal tasks, which causes the fragile work/life balance to tip over. You find yourself overworking, stressing, and even procrastinating.
It’s why having a proper home office setup is crucial if you want to take up data encoder online jobs. The dedicated office will help create a physical barrier between your work and personal life. So, when you leave the room, it will be easier to switch off your work mode and prepare yourself to spend time with loved ones.
Besides, a home office allows you to push away any home-related distractions. It may include the blaring television in the lounge or the kids laughing in their room. You can focus on the work and get it done efficiently.
A home office setup also helps prevent any health issues that may arise from working on the low dining table or makeshift office in the bedroom. The presence of an ergonomic chair, a proper work desk, and space ensure you stay physically well.
Asynchronous Communication
Working from home isn’t like a regular office because you cannot see your team members. Plus, most remote jobs are hybrid. So, you won’t have the client or team available at all times due to the varying locations and time zones.
It’s why you should have the ability to handle asynchronous communication. You should pick channels that make your messages easily accessible to others throughout the team. For example, online work chat platforms like Slack.
Knowledge About Work Management Tools
If you plan to handle multiple clients or a large workload, there’s a high chance you will be working in a remote team. The team can be yours or the clients. In any case, you will have to use work management tools to stay on top of the tasks.
So, it’s best to be familiar with all the best tools used in the market. The most common ones are Asana, Trello, and ClickUp.
Cultural Sensitivity
Lastly, nobody wants to work with someone who doesn’t respect cultural differences. Remember that online jobs mean working together with people from other countries, religions, and communities. You should be able to show empathy, support, and be open-minded about the differences for a positive work experience.
Top Sites for Data Encoder Work-From-Home Jobs
Once you’re ready to begin data encoding, hunt for job opportunities from reputable and legitimate platforms. There are hundreds of websites that provide work-from-home jobs today. So, to help you get started, we’ve listed the top sites below.
Upwork
Established in 2015, Upwork is one of the best places to earn online. The safe, reliable, and closely monitored platform allows you to create a free account. Once you fill in the details, it takes a few days to become active.
After activation, you can browse through the portal and send proposals to jobs that match your expertise. There are more than 10,000 job posts uploaded daily on Upwork. Thus, the chances are high that you will secure positions quickly.
Fiverr
Fiverr is a diverse marketplace where buyers can purchase services from you. All you must do is set up a free profile, create gigs, and wait for the orders. These gigs are your service listing that describes what you’re offering and at what prices.
Usually, people use Fiverr for small one-time jobs. So, it’s a good place to get started as a data encoder and gain experience. However, you need to be extra cautious about scammers since Fiverr is easy to access for all.
Indeed
If you want to land high-paying data encoding jobs from corporate firms, Indeed.com is your go-to option. It is an American employment website that has been uploading job listings since 2004. Almost all top companies use Indeed to find their desired talent.
What’s best about the platform is that you can also create a profile and leave your resume. So, there is no need to spend lots of time browsing and applying. Recruiters will automatically come across your resume during their hunt.
Rev
Rev will not pay you a handsome amount for data encoding. But, it’s a great site to gain experience and learn more about how the job works. The American platform offers easy data entry, transcription, and caption writing tasks.
You do not need to do active job hunting or anything. Plus, you have the freedom to decide what kind of work you want and during which hours.
1840 & Company
1840 & Company is another US-based marketplace built for corporate individuals and businesses. The platform provides access to large and small-scale opportunities for back-office operations. These include data encoding, bookkeeping, virtual assistance, etc.
You can join the platform for free. However, it has a vigorous process of testing and interviewing the applicants. Once accepted, you can expect to work with high-paying organizations easily.
How to Avoid Scams
There is no denying that the online world has scams and frauds too. But, don’t let this possibility discourage or scare you. While there are scammers present in disguise as employers, there are also legit data encoder opportunities.
All you must do is stay on the lookout for the mention of money in the job listing. If the person is asking for money either in the form of training fees or rebate processing, skip that job post immediately. No authentic employer would ask for cash or bank details from the potential candidate before awarding the position.
Even after you get the job, do not share any sensitive or risky information with the person. Some other ways people may try to scam include a request to purchase business kits or do lengthy unpaid assignments as tests.
Data Encoder Work from Home: FAQs
What is an MIS encoder?
An MIS encoder is a type of data encoder that maintains and provides support to the existing management information system (MIS). There are no special qualifications required for the position. You should have the knowledge and experience of dealing with different information systems.
What are data entry interview questions?
As a data encoder, you may have to give an interview before securing a job position. The interview questions tend to be quite easy. Some examples include:
What is the minimum typing speed required for data entry?
The minimum typing speed required for data entry is 45 words per minute. It’s best to have a faster typing speed similar to that of typists and transcriptionists (60 to 90 words per minute). However, the speed should not compromise accuracy.
Final Thoughts Related to Data Encoder Job from Home
All in all, being a data encoder is a great career choice whether you do it full-time or part-time. The position can pay you really well if you have excellent data-collection skills. However, the benefits double when you work from home.
There are more opportunities, work flexibility, efficiency, and savings. In this data encoder work from home guide, we discussed in detail this job and its benefits. We also covered what work-from-home sites to use and how to avoid scams.
If there’s something we missed and you would like to add, let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
