Data Collector or Field Survey Enumerator
Collects and verifies data from households, enterprises and establishments for socio-economic surveys, often on hand-held devices.
Overview
A Data Collector or Field Survey Enumerator collects or verifies data or documents from households/enterprises/establishments. They are responsible for conducting socio-economic surveys with the help of hand-held devices/laptops and for creating a blueprint consisting of survey concepts, definitions, procedures, instructions and so on as per guidelines received from multiple clients. A Data Collector works on a regular, contractual or commission basis.
Where they work
- NGOs
- Data collection units
- Research agencies and so on
Work environment
You have to work for at least 8 to 9 hours and for 5 to 6 days a week. Shift duties may be there. Overtime is common.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You like to pay attention to details while working
- You are comfortable communicating with others
- You like to analyse problems/situations
- You are comfortable working with a team
Eligibility and education roadmap
Durations are as printed on the source card for each level; please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
- 1Certificate — Eligibility: 10th or 12th grade. Duration: 6 months to 1 year. Examples: Data Collection and Analysis, Certificate in Market Research, Certificate in Statistical Data Collection.
- 2Diploma — Eligibility: Completion of 12th grade (or equivalent). Duration: 1 to 2 years. Examples: Diploma in Data Science, Diploma in Research Methodology, Diploma in Data Management and Analysis.
- 3Undergraduate — Eligibility: Completion of 12th grade (or equivalent) with a focus on science, commerce, or social sciences. Duration: 3 years. Examples: Bachelor of Arts in Statistics, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Commerce with a focus on Data Management.
- 4Postgraduate — Eligibility: Bachelor's degree (statistics, computer science, economics, or commerce). Duration: 1 to 2 years. Examples: Master of Science in Statistics, Master of Computer Applications, Master of Arts in Economics with a focus on data analysis.
- 5Doctoral — Eligibility: Master's degree (statistics, data science, or economics). Duration: 3 to 5 years. Examples: Ph.D. in Statistics, Ph.D. in Data Science or Big Data Analytics, Ph.D. in Social Science Research and Data Analysis.
- 6Short-Term Courses — Data Entry, Short-term course in Statistical Analysis Tools, Online courses in Data Collection Methods.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
Government institutes
- University of Delhi, New Delhi
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
- University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Any recognised university in India
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Assistant Data Collector/Field Survey Enumerator
- 2Data Collector/Field Survey Enumerator
- 3Field Analyst
- 4Lead Enumerator
Expected income
₹10,250 – ₹17,000 per month
The card credits these figures to the National Career Service (NCS), though its link is to an AmbitionBox page. They are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Statistician
Gathers, analyses and interprets numerical data, helping companies make sense of it to spot trends and make predictions.
Demographer
Studies populations — births, migration and ageing (including death) — to understand how populations change.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Maths.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to analysing.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Shaila Mahalamani — Described in the source as a 39-year-old woman from Belgaum in North Karnataka who works in Bangalore as an enumerator for Good Business Lab (GBL), conducting field surveys that generate data for research. Her career began nearly 18 years earlier, driven by the wish to give her daughter a good future, including an English-medium education. She first worked as a teacher in a local school and then as an enumerator; after leaving the job under family pressure and trying stitching, she rejoined as an enumerator in Bangalore, was promoted to field analyst, and now works on two to three projects at a time.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 807 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/enumerator-salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
This card is printed on page 807; the contents list gives 809. It does not say which department offers the courses. The salary panel credits NCS but links to an AmbitionBox page.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.