Word Processors and Typists

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

• Clerk Typist
• Keyboard Specialist
• Typist
• Word Processor

Alternate Job Titles

• Account Clerk Typist
• Addresser
• Bordereau Clerk
• Clerk Specialist
• Clerk Typist
• Continuity Clerk
• Court Stenographer
• Data Transcriber
• Dictaphone Typist
• Document Processor
• Ediphone Operator
• Electromatic Typist
• Keyboard Specialist
• Legal Transcriptionist
• Legal Typist

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Perform other clerical duties, such as answering telephone, sorting and distributing mail, running errands or sending faxes.
• Check completed work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format.
• 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.
• Transmit work electronically to other locations.
• Address envelopes or prepare envelope labels, using typewriter or computer.
• 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.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Administrative
• English Language
• Customer and Personal Service
• Computers and Electronics

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Near Vision
• Written Comprehension
• Speech Recognition
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Oral Expression
• Wrist-Finger Speed
• Information Ordering
• Perceptual Speed
• Finger Dexterity

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Integrity
• Cautiousness
• Cooperation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Relationships
• Support
• Independence
• Working Conditions
• Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Adobe Acrobat
• Google Workspace software
• Intuit QuickBooks
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Microsoft Visio

Tools & Equipment

• Copy machines
• Desktop calculators
• Electric typewriters
• Laser facsimile machines
• Paper shredders
• Personal computers
• Postage marking machines
• Postage meters

Work Environment

• Telephone Conversations
• Spend Time Sitting
• E-Mail
• Contact With Others
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$35,300
Median	$47,850
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$64,370

Workers Employed Nationally: 36,030

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.