1

Optical Data Entry Jobs in Covington, LA (NOW HIRING)

Optical Data Entry information

See Covington, LA salary details

$8

$16

$26

How much do optical data entry jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical data entry in Covington, LA is $16.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.22 and $17.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is optical data entry?

Optical data entry is the process of converting information from physical documents into digital form using technologies like Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Workers in this role scan paper documents, images, or handwritten forms, and use software to extract and input data into computer systems. This job helps organizations manage large volumes of information efficiently and reduce manual data entry errors. Attention to detail and familiarity with scanning equipment and OCR software are important skills for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an optical data entry professional, and why are they important?

To excel in Optical Data Entry, you need strong attention to detail, fast and accurate typing skills, and familiarity with data management processes, typically supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Proficiency with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software, spreadsheet applications, and data entry platforms is often required. Excellent organizational skills, reliability, and the ability to concentrate for extended periods set top performers apart in this role. These skills are crucial to ensure data accuracy, maintain productivity, and support efficient workflow in environments reliant on digital information processing.

What are some common challenges faced by optical data entry professionals, and how can they be overcome?

Optical Data Entry professionals often deal with challenges such as interpreting poorly scanned or handwritten documents, maintaining high accuracy under tight deadlines, and managing repetitive tasks without losing focus. To overcome these challenges, it's important to develop strong attention to detail, utilize available software tools for error detection, and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue. Effective communication with the quality control team also helps in quickly resolving ambiguities and improving overall workflow efficiency.

What is the difference between Optical Data Entry vs Data Entry Clerk?

AspectOptical Data EntryData Entry Clerk
Required CredentialsBasic computer skills, training in optical character recognition (OCR) softwareHigh school diploma, basic computer skills
Work EnvironmentData processing centers, offices with OCR technologyOffice settings, data entry departments
Employer & IndustryHealthcare, finance, government agencies using OCRVarious industries requiring manual data input
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for accuracy and technology useCompared for speed and manual input skills

Optical Data Entry involves using OCR technology to convert scanned documents into digital data, requiring specific software skills. Data Entry Clerks manually input data into systems, focusing on speed and accuracy. Both roles are essential in data management but differ mainly in technology use and work processes.

Do optical data entry jobs really pay?

Optical data entry jobs typically pay hourly wages that can range from minimum wage to higher rates depending on experience and complexity of tasks. Many positions offer part-time or flexible schedules, and pay rates are often comparable to other data entry roles, with some opportunities paying per project or task completion.

What job categories do people searching Optical Data Entry jobs in Covington, LA look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Data Entry jobs in Covington, LA are:

INTERDISCIPLINARY (PHYSICAL SCIENTIST/PHYSICIST/METEOROLOGIST/OCEANOGRAPHER

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Stennis Space Center, MS • On-site

$40K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 538 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.
GS-05-$40,736-$52,857
GS-07-$50,460-$65,599
Qualifications:GS-07:
Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experience assisting in applying principles of meteorology, oceanography, or physics to assigned tasks.
  • Experience performing with software (e.g., Excel, introductory MATLAB) to organize and visualize scientific data.
  • Experience aiding senior analysts in validating environmental model output by comparing it to observations and expected oceanographic and/or meteorological conditions.
  • Experience conveying technical findings verbally or in writing.

GS-05:
Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-04 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experience managing and utilizing fundamental principles of physics, meteorology, and/or oceanography.
  • Experience demonstrating using standard office software (e.g., MS Office) for basic data entry and communication.
  • Experience following detailed instructions and standard operating procedures to complete simple, routine tasks.
  • Experience developing an understanding of data analysis from academic projects or coursework.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-Standards
Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR):
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/physics-series-1310/
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/meteorology-series-1340/
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/oceanography-series-1360/
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual. Applicants must possess:
General Physical Science Series, 1301Individual Occupational RequirementsBasic Requirements:
  1. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

    or

  2. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Physics Series, 1310Individual Occupational RequirementsBasic Requirements:
  1. Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics.

    or

  2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In either 1. or 2. above, the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in addition courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound.

Meteorology Series, 1340Individual Occupational RequirementsBasic Requirements:
A. Degree: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included:
  1. At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of:
    • Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;*
    • Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale);
    • Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and
    • Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation.
  2. Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.*
  3. Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.*
  4. At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science.
*There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major.
or
B. Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Oceanography Series, 1360Individual Occupational RequirementsBasic Requirements:
A. Degree: major study of at least 24 semester hours in oceanography or a related discipline such as physics, meteorology, geophysics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, geology, or biology, plus 20 additional semester hours in any combination of oceanography, physics, geophysics, chemistry, mathematics, meteorology, computer science, and engineering sciences.
or
B. Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Applicants who qualify on the basis of major study in biology or geology must have had at least 6 semester hours in the major directly concerned with marine science or 6 semester hours in oceanography; applicants who qualify on the basis of other physical sciences or engineering must have had differential and integral calculus and at least 6 semester hours in physics.


In lieu of specialized experience and the positive education qualifications requirements, you may additionally qualify with the following education or combination of both education and experience.
GS-07
1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement
GS-05
Applicants who mee the basic requirements described in the individual occupational requirements are fully qualified for the GS-05 entry grade.
MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF THE TRANSCRIPTS TO VERIFY THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS ARE MET. See Required Documents for additional information.Employment Type: OTHER

What U.S. Department Of Defense employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom