Word Processors and Typists
Also called: Account Clerk Typist, Clerk Specialist, Clerk Typist, Continuity Clerk, Court Stenographer, Data Transcriber, Dictaphone Typist, Document Processor
Use word processor, computer, or typewriter to type letters, reports, forms, or other material from rough draft, corrected copy, or voice recording.
What word processors and typists do
Typical tasks
- File and store completed documents on computer hard drive or disk, or maintain a computer filing system to store, retrieve, update, and delete documents.
- Transmit work electronically to other locations.
- Perform other clerical duties, such as answering telephone, sorting and distributing mail, running errands or sending faxes.
- Electronically sort and compile text and numerical data, retrieving, updating, and merging documents as required.
- Check completed work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format.
- Print and make copies of work.
- Search for specific sets of stored, typed characters to make changes.
- Address envelopes or prepare envelope labels, using typewriter or computer.
- Collate pages of reports and other documents.
- Reformat documents, moving paragraphs or columns.
- 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.
- Keep records of work performed.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Word Processors and Typists salary
The median annual wage for word processors and typists is $49,280 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $36,810 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $65,150. The mean annual wage is $51,120.
The mean hourly wage of $24.00 is 3.3× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Word Processors and Typists (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $49,280 → in 3 years $50,800 → in 5 years $51,900 → in 10 years $54,600 (10-year range $47,000–$63,400). The model assumes pay growth of +1.0% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Word Processors and Typists
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Word Processors and Typists? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Word Processors and Typists
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for Word Processors and Typists
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become word processors and typists
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as word processors and typists
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.