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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $47,850 in the US and is projected to decline by 36% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows high AI exposure (0.85 on a 0-1 scale) — significant portions of core tasks are already being automated. The most in-demand skills for the role include Reading Comprehension, Writing, Active Listening, Speaking, Time Management.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £27,170 a year for Typists and related keyboard occupations (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 4217). ONS rates this estimate acceptable: it rests on a small sample, so treat it as a rough guide. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Clerical support workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Word processors and typists, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 4. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Administrative
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Communications and Media
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Word processors and typists do?
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.
How much does Word processors and typists earn?
The median annual salary for Word processors and typists in the US is $47,850.
What is the job outlook for Word processors and typists?
The role is projected to decline by 36% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 40,000 workers.
How do I become word processors and typists?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Word processors and typists need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Reading Comprehension, Writing, Active Listening, Speaking, Time Management, Monitoring. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Word processors and typists?
Our AI-durability model gives Word processors and typists a score of 0.85 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at high AI risk — many core tasks are already being automated by generative AI and workflow tools. Focus on AI-adjacent skills or plan a pivot to an AI-durable adjacent role.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Word processors and typists has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.