15 Jobs that Require Excel Spreadsheet Skills

A man working on an excel spreadsheet document on his computer.

Microsoft Excel is a software program that helps you organize data using a spreadsheet to collect data in columns and rows. The benefit of this program is that whoever views the sheet can easily find the information, and anyone interested in becoming an excel specialist can earn their certification in 15- 30 days.

If you do an Excel spreadsheet for freelance work, you can make $300-$500 a month. However, if you plan on making a career out of becoming an Excel expert, you can make anywhere from $24,000-$90,500 per year.

Over a billion people have used Excel in their lifetime, so there are jobs available worldwide, online, and at companies. If you are proficient in Microsoft Excel and are interested in breaking into the field, you can start with freelance work completing 10-15 spreadsheets per month. After growing in the industry, you can progress to becoming a data journalist, conducting market research, or becoming an accountant.

The experience you need for this job depends highly on where you are applying. Some jobs might require you to have a bachelor’s degree; however, most places would be satisfied with you simply being an expert in excel. For entry-level hires, a company usually looks for skills in Pivot Tables, Data Validation, COUNTIF/COUNTIFS, etc.

A Microsoft excel expert’s job is to handle company records through software systems. You will be in charge of all databases containing important information. You will also create pivot tables, review data, and give analytical recommendations on the collected data.

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Accountant

Accountants are responsible for analyzing financial records for clients in large companies, and for becoming an accountant, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. Then after four years in college, you can get an entry-level position making $41,000-$71,000 per year.

To get an accountant job, you need to get your bachelor’s degree, choose a specialization, and pass the CPA exam. Networking during college and the use of job websites can also help you get your foot in the door in accounting. Los Angeles, California, is the perfect place to start looking.

Besides having a bachelor’s degree and passing the CPA exam, you need to have strong organizational skills to be an accountant. It would also be a great idea to know how to prepare financial reports, complete tax returns, examine records, and reconcile accounts.

The bigger the business, the more likely it is to require their accountants to use Microsoft excel to budget, send and receive banking information, create balance sheets, and project future costs. The only difference between being an excel expert and an accountant is that you do not have to utilize Microsoft Excel to get the job done.

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts help businesses and clients gain profit by assessing investments, and the median pay for this career is $83,660 a year. To apply for a job as an analyst, you need at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Your job includes structuring data and financial information so that the company or person you are working for will gain extra cash, so it is vital to know how to create reports forecasting future finances.

This job is similar to being an excel spreadsheet expert because you can create models, gather data, and organize the history of finances. The most significant difference between the two jobs is that the financial analyst job is primarily about guiding individuals to make the best financial decisions.

Project Manager

Project managers plan, budget, ration resources, and execute projects in a company to get tasks completed. Most project managers have a bachelor’s degree in business or management along with some professional certification. It can take between 5 to 7 years to become a project manager because of the required experience, and they make an estimated $116,000 a year.

To become a project manager, you have to learn the skills behind the process by managing projects and maintaining them. If you find that this is something that you want to do long-term, you could begin with getting a project management certification and then proceed from there. Project managers are in charge of progress monitoring, risk management, document management, resource allocation, and project planning. They are essentially at the head of the organization within a business.

The project manager position is similar to an Excel spreadsheet expert because project managers can use an Excel spreadsheet to organize data. The Gantt chart tool in excel is excellent for project management because it helps show tasks and how long they will take.

The difference between Microsoft excel experts and project managers is that project managers do not have to use excel as a project reporting tool. Using this application could create a situation where specific data is overlooked or deadlines are missed and ignored because the information is spread across multiple lines.

The primary use of excel when you are a project manager is for project planning. The purpose is to help you organize deadlines, resources, and tasks.

Information Clerk

An information clerk is in charge of doing clerical tasks for an organization or business. Most of this includes collecting data from customers and staff to answer questions about services or products. It would be best if you had a high school diploma and an associate’s degree to become an information clerk, and as an entry-level clerk, you can make $26,920 per year.

If you are interested in this position, you should take office practice and computer information classes. Information clerks have a place in all industries that you can think of, but many work in hotels, healthcare, or government agencies.

Besides the educational requirements, you should have competent keyboard skills, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills. These are important skills for the job because you are responsible for compiling and organizing records so that employees could evaluate them.

An information clerk is highly similar to an excel expert because a clerk can easily use an Excel spreadsheet to help them organize records such as medical records or business records. The only noticeable difference is that you do not have to use an Excel spreadsheet to be an information specialist. You can use other software programs that will help you log data or do it by hand.

However, most information clerks use excel spreadsheets to help them organize information better. It is much easier to read the information on a classified document this way.

Excel Specialist

Microsoft excel specialists can use the features of Microsoft excel at an expert level. You can get certified by Microsoft for a $100 fee, and you have the potential to earn $34,500- 72,500. Before starting in this field, you will have to earn a certification and pass the exam.

Completing remote work is an excellent place to get started in this specialization. You should know how to manage workbooks, fill cells with data, perform data analysis, and create pivot tables.

Excel spreadsheet skills and becoming an excel specialist go together; you cannot have one without the other because excel is your job.

Data Entry Specialist

Data entry specialists take data from bills, reports, and business information to enter it into a database for further analysis. You only need a high school diploma to become one. After entering the field, data entry specialists earn a median wage of $27,450 a year.

Trying remote data entry positions is an excellent way to get into the field because they are more relaxed regarding education requirements. However, you need to have transcription experience to do data entry work.

Data entry specialists are similar to excel specialists because they have to fill out data tables to do their job. The most significant difference between the two positions is that there are many different ways to enter data into a system.

Secretary

An executive assistant on her computer typing in data.

A secretary is another name for an office assistant. They are usually in charge of scheduling appointments, answering phone calls, and assisting their boss where they are needed. Secretaries only need a high school diploma for the job, and they have a median salary of $36,500.

It would be great to search different online engines like Indeed or Glassdoor to get a secretary job. The only assets you need are good communication skills and organizational skills to answer calls and be great at assisting your employer.

Being a secretary is similar to a Microsoft excel specialist because secretaries need an immense amount of skills to organize information for their boss. The only significant difference is that your primary job as an assistant is completing tasks for employers rather than managing data.

Business Analyst

A business market analyst going through the data.

This person organizes and analyzes business documents to integrate them with technology. The primary purpose of a business analyst is to help businesses improve products, software, and services. Business analysts need at least a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or statistics, and the average salary of a business analyst is $81,320.

To get a job as a business analyst, you need an undergraduate degree and knowledge in computing and systems development and business management. Most companies will train you before you get a job as an entry-level business analyst, so do not worry about coming with minimal experience.

The role of a business analyst is to analyze the company and create constant change using innovation and skill to build up sales revenue and customer satisfaction.

The business analyst job is similar to an Excel spreadsheet expert because both jobs consist of recording and analyzing a data table. They are different because you can analyze information without having to put it on a table. A business analyst’s role is to manage areas of improvement, present ideas, and develop projects. A business analyst could use an excel spreadsheet to help organize projects or compare data.

Payroll Specialist

A payroll specialist processes payroll and tax information for small and large businesses. To be a payroll specialist, you will need a high school diploma, but some jobs require you to have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. An entry-level specialist makes $33,011 per year, and an expert can earn upwards of $64,724 per year.

To be a payroll specialist, you have first to pass the certified payroll specialist examination; this exam has three parts to it. After you pass the test, it is recommended that you obtain an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in accounting. After this is complete, you must have at least one year of experience in accounting, bookkeeping, or payroll. With this experience, you can get a job in healthcare, insurance, and finance.

A payroll specialist overseas payroll and banking information for employees, and their prominent role is to maintain records and taxation. This job is similar to an excel spreadsheet expert because you have to keep up with financial records for the company.

The only significant difference between both jobs is maintaining company records; you do not have to use this spreadsheet application. As a payroll Specialist, you are the overseer of every employee’s money.

Administrative Assistant

An administrative assistant is in charge of managing information to be distributed to a business. Most positions require a high school diploma; however, some places require an associate or bachelor’s degree. The salary for an entry-level administrative assistant is $38,652, and the salary of an expert administrative assistant is $49,059 per year.

To become an administrative assistant, you need computer skills and determination. Administrative assists are paid the most in Washington DC, making $19.85 per hour, so if you are interested in breaking into the field, here is the place to begin. The administrative assistant is in charge of organizing files, scheduling appointments, and helping staff.

And an administrative assistant job is similar to an excel expert because you are in charge of organizing information, and using an excel spreadsheet makes the job more manageable. The primary difference between the two jobs is that you are also aiding people in the company and answering phones and other duties as an administrative assistant.

Retail Manager

A retail manager is in charge of running a retail store by organizing every aspect of stocking, selling items, and maintaining staff in a store. All employees report to their retail manager when problems or concerns arise. A high school diploma is needed to be a retail manager; however, some employers require a bachelor’s degree.

The salary of a retail manager depends on what area in the country you are working in and what company you’re working for. As an entry-level retail manager, you can earn a median salary of $49,646 per year.

To get the job as a retail manager, you have to have plenty of experience in sales and retail. The highest-paid entry-level retail managers live in Los Angeles, California, making $52,972 per year. To be a retail manager, you need at least two years of experience in the retail environment.

Retail managers are in charge of supervising staff and are also in charge of organizing store operations and controlling the store’s budget.

Retail managers are similar to Microsoft excel spreadsheet experts because managers can easily use a spreadsheet to help them delegate tasks and budget their company. However, the primary difference between the two jobs is that the spreadsheet would only be a part of the work with a retail manager. It takes so much on-foot work to get things done around the store, like stocking and checking out customers.

Quality Control Technician

A quality control technician is responsible for testing materials or products to make sure they meet standard quality. Company and customer wants, and needs are the number one priority while doing this job, and you need a high school diploma or GED. A post-secondary certification or degree might be required at more advanced levels.

An entry-level quality control technician can make $29,461 per year, and an expert quality control technician can earn $56,124 a year. You need strong inspection skills and written communication skills, and experience with lab tools to do this job. If you were looking for a career in this industry, it is best to look in California, Maryland, or New Hampshire.

A quality control technician is similar to an Excel spreadsheet expert because quality control technicians are in charge of inspecting and evaluating. The most significant difference between the two jobs is that your main job is to check other products as a quality control technician. The data about each product is the second priority of ensuring quality products are made.

Transcript Editor

A recorder with a notebook and a laptop used by transcriptionists.

A transcription editor looks over a voice-to-text document and fixes any errors created during the transcription process. Transcription editors make between $29,500-$54,500 a year, and a bachelor’s degree is sufficient enough to get a job as a transcription editor.

You can get an editor job by starting off doing small jobs on Upwork and move up to actual employment at a company. You should have experience in proofreading documents and editing.

This job is similar to being an excel expert because you are looking at pieces of data to fix. However, an editing job involves making a text readable to the audience without being valuable data. Medical transcription editors are famous for improving medical texts.

Support Analyst

The purpose of a support analyst is to provide technical support to keep computers working. An associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree are required. The salary ranges from $36,153-$85,459.

You can get a support analysis job by completing the educational requirements and networking at college. You can go to Glassdoor to find this type of job, and you need experience in information technology to fix all of the technical issues in that business.

The support analyst job is similar to the excel specialist job because you could create a spreadsheet to keep track of repairs. However, it is incredibly different from an excel job because it is a lot more about fixing the issue than documenting.

Accounts Receiveable Representative

Accounts receivable representatives look over customer accounts to ensure that business transactions are done correctly. You need at least a bachelor’s in finance or a related field. The salary range for this job is between $23,000-$51,000.

To get a job in this field, you should go to Alaska, Washington, or Connecticut and go to businesses that require your services. It would be best to have an eye for detail and the ability to grow as an employee while working independently.

Accounts receivable representatives record cash and credit card transactions, so they are very similar to excel experts. However, they are different because there are various ways for these representatives to record this information to send it to businesses.

References:

Tough Nickel: How to Make Money at Home Using Microsoft Excel

Alliance Career Training Solutions: 9 Top Careers That Require Microsoft Excel Skills

Microsoft: Microsoft Excel

Zip Recruiter: How much does an Excel Expert make?

imocha: What Skills Should You Look for While Hiring an Excel Expert?

Zip Recruiter: How to Become Excel Expert

Northeastern University: What Does an Accountant Do? Role, Responsibilities, and Trends

Payscale: Accountant Salary

Indeed: How to Get Accounting Job

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Financial Analysts

Northeastern University: What Does a Project Manager Do?