What Do Data Clerks Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for data clerks?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what data clerks do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Data Clerks Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about data clerks by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Data Clerks compile and compute data according to statistical formulas for use in statistical studies. May perform actuarial computations and compile charts and graphs for use by actuaries. Includes actuarial clerks.
Popular Job Titles For Data Clerks
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Statistical Assistants
- Statistical Clerks
- Statistical Programming Managers
- Assistant Professors of Statistics
- Mathematical Statisticians
- Statistical Analysts
- Statistical Research Assistants
- Assistant Professors of Mathematics
- Statistical Geneticists
- Assistant Professors of Political Science
- Statistical Data Analysts
- Assistant Professors of Biostatistics
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for data clerks can be found.
Best Industries for Data Clerks
Data Clerks Jobs By Industry
- Scientific Research and Development Services: 19.9%
- Federal Government, Civilian: 12.4%
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: 10.3%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 9.3%
- Employment Services: 6.2%
- Insurance Carriers: 6.1%
- Other: 35.8%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of data clerks can be found working in the Scientific Research and Development Services sector. In 2022, about 19.9% of all jobs for data clerks were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Federal Government, Civilian (12.4%), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (10.3%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (9.3%), Employment Services (6.2%) and Insurance Carriers (6.1%).
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What Do Data Clerks Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what data clerks do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work data clerks do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that data clerks tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Data Clerks
Top 5 Common Skills for Data Clerks
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Research | 101 | 48% |
| Communications | 65 | 31% |
| Management | 56 | 27% |
| Teaching | 39 | 19% |
| Clerical Works | 36 | 17% |
For common skills, research was the most desired skill found in job postings for data clerks, followed by communications, management, teaching, clerical works and mathematics.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Research | 101 | 48% |
| Communications | 65 | 31% |
| Management | 56 | 27% |
| Teaching | 39 | 19% |
| Clerical Works | 36 | 17% |
| Mathematics | 36 | 17% |
| Writing | 36 | 17% |
| Mentorship | 30 | 14% |
| Operations | 25 | 12% |
| Detail Oriented | 22 | 11% |
| Timelines | 21 | 10% |
| Editing | 20 | 10% |
| Influencing Skills | 20 | 10% |
| Customer Service | 19 | 9% |
| Spreadsheets | 19 | 9% |
| Coordinating | 16 | 8% |
| Microsoft Excel | 16 | 8% |
| Planning | 15 | 7% |
| Administrative Functions | 14 | 7% |
| Computer Literacy | 14 | 7% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Data Clerks
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Statistical Assistants | 91 | 20.9% |
| Statistical Clerks | 72 | 16.6% |
| Statistical Programming Managers | 101 | 23.2% |
| Assistant Professors of Statistics | 17 | 3.9% |
| Mathematical Statisticians | 7 | 1.6% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was statistical assistants, with 56 unique job postings. Statistical clerks were second, with 19 postings, followed by statistical programming managers, assistant professors of statistics and mathematical statisticians.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to data clerks.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Statistical Assistants | 91 | 20.9% |
| Statistical Clerks | 72 | 16.6% |
| Statistical Programming Managers | 101 | 23.2% |
| Assistant Professors of Statistics | 17 | 3.9% |
| Mathematical Statisticians | 7 | 1.6% |
| Statistical Analysts | 8 | 1.8% |
| Statistical Research Assistants | 42 | 9.7% |
| Assistant Professors of Mathematics | 8 | 1.8% |
| Statistical Geneticists | 8 | 1.8% |
| Assistant Professors of Political Science | 6 | 1.4% |
| Statistical Data Analysts | 31 | 7.1% |
| Assistant Professors of Biostatistics | 5 | 1.1% |
| Data Transcribers | 6 | 1.4% |
| Directors of Data Science | 4 | 0.9% |
| Processing Clerks | 5 | 1.1% |
| Assistant Managers | 10 | 2.3% |
| Assistant Professors of Physics | 6 | 1.4% |
| Composition Specialists | 2 | 0.5% |
| Core Specialists | 3 | 0.7% |
| Juvenile Justice Specialists | 3 | 0.7% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for data clerks? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for data clerks.
How much do data clerks make?
Data Clerks: How do you become one?
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