What Word Processors and Typists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Word Processors and Typists this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "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".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Word Processors and Typists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 40,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 26,500 in 2035, a decrease of 13,900 jobs (-34.4%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 1,900 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 4.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 10.9% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $49,280, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Word Processors and Typists earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $49,373 in New York to $51,429 in New Jersey, a gap of $2,056 (1.04 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $49,280 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 14,580, which is 59.6% of the 24,460 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 9,880.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($51,429) and New York ($49,373) lead the ranking, while New York ($49,373) and New Jersey ($51,429) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Word Processors and Typists
Data Entry Keyers belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-9000) include Office Clerks, General.
Frequently asked questions about Word Processors and Typists
How much do Word Processors and Typists earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $49,280. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $49,373 to $51,429.
Which state pays Word Processors and Typists the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $51,429. New York is next at $49,373.
Is Word Processors and Typists a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 34.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 1,900 openings a year.
What education do Word Processors and Typists need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.