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Word Processors and Typists

Use word processor, computer, or typewriter to type letters, reports, forms, or other material from rough draft, corrected copy, or voice recording. May perform other clerical duties as assigned.

Median pay
$49,280

a year

Doing it now
40,400

across the country

By 2035
Down 34.4%

1,900 openings a year

Usually needs
High school diploma or equivalent

to get in

What the work involves

  • Check completed work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format.
  • Perform other clerical duties, such as answering telephone, sorting and distributing mail, running errands or sending faxes.
  • Gather, register, and arrange the material to be typed, following instructions.
  • Type correspondence, reports, text and other written material from rough drafts, corrected copies, voice recordings, dictation, or previous versions, using a computer, word processor, or typewriter.
  • File and store completed documents on computer hard drive or disk, or maintain a computer filing system to store, retrieve, update, and delete documents.
  • Print and make copies of work.
  • Keep records of work performed.

What to study

The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.

Who it suits

O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.

  • Organised and precise

  • Hands-on and practical

  • Creative and expressive

Answer 24 questions and see whether this is a fit for you

Careers like this one

Where this comes from: the description and the task list are O*NET, which the Department of Labor maintains. Pay, workforce size, outlook and the education normally needed are the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections programme, 2025 wages and 2025 to 2035 projections. Half of them earn more than $49,280 a year, which means half earn less, and what you would earn depends on where you work and how long you have been doing it. The fields of study come from the National Center for Education Statistics crosswalk.