Occupation · SOC 43-9022
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 wage
$47,850
$35,300–$64,370
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
36,030
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
91 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionWritingActive ListeningTime ManagementSpeakingMonitoringService OrientationCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessMathematicsCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingQuality Control AnalysisSystems AnalysisActive LearningPersuasionNegotiationComplex Problem SolvingSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesTechnology DesignProgrammingOperations MonitoringInstructingOperations AnalysisOperation and ControlManagement of Material ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment SelectionScienceRepairingInstallation
Knowledge areas
AdministrativeEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceComputers and ElectronicsLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementMathematicsCommunications and MediaPsychologyTelecommunicationsPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingEconomics and AccountingPersonnel and Human ResourcesSales and MarketingForeign LanguageGeographyProduction and ProcessingMedicine and DentistrySociology and AnthropologyMechanicalTherapy and CounselingTransportationHistory and ArcheologyDesignBiologyPhysicsPhilosophy and TheologyFood ProductionFine ArtsEngineering and TechnologyChemistryBuilding and Construction
Technology & tools
Act!Adobe AcrobatBlackbaud CRMCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteFileMaker ProGoogle Workspace softwareIBM NotesIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft PublisherMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordOracle PeopleSoftOracle Siebel CRMSAP softwareSRSsoft SRS EHR
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDocumenting/Recording InformationGetting InformationProcessing InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAssisting and Caring for OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicAnalyzing Data or InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsThinking CreativelyMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTraining and Teaching OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesHandling and Moving ObjectsDeveloping and Building TeamsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoaching and Developing OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesStaffing Organizational UnitsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Typed documents and correspondence — produce from clear written drafts under direct supervision using office word processing software.Spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors — identify and flag in completed documents using built-in spell-check tools in a supervised office setting.Completed documents — save and file to designated folders on a computer hard drive following an established naming convention provided by a supervisor.Printed copies and photocopies — produce by operating office printers and copiers under guidance in a general office environment.Envelope addresses and mailing labels — prepare using a word processor or typewriter following a template provided in a clerical support role.Incoming and outgoing mail — sort and distribute to correct recipients under direction in a standard office setting.Electronic documents — transmit via email to designated recipients following step-by-step instructions in an office support role.Typed materials and source documents — gather and arrange in the correct order before keying, following written instructions from a supervisor.Telephone calls — answer and transfer to appropriate staff members using a basic multi-line phone system in a clerical environment.Office suite software — navigate core features such as word processing and email at a basic level to complete assigned typing tasks in an entry-level administrative role.
developing
Correspondence, reports, and routine documents — type accurately from rough drafts, corrected copies, or voice recordings with minimal supervision in a busy office environment.Completed documents — review independently for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting consistency before submission in a standard administrative role.Computer-based filing systems — maintain by storing, retrieving, updating, and deleting documents in an organized manner to support office workflow.Outgoing faxes and electronic file transmissions — prepare and send to correct recipients, confirming successful delivery in a general clerical setting.Envelope labels and mailing materials — generate in volume using mail-merge features of office suite software to support routine office mailings.Time-sensitive documents and competing tasks — prioritize and manage to meet daily deadlines with limited oversight in an office support position.Dictated or recorded audio content — transcribe accurately into formatted text documents using word processing software in an administrative environment.Document management software — use to file, tag, and retrieve records efficiently within an established office document management system.Spreadsheet and database software — enter and update data accurately to support administrative reporting and record-keeping tasks in a clerical role.Routine clerical duties including errands and supply requests — coordinate and complete dependably to contribute to smooth office operations.
proficient
Complex multi-page reports and technical documents — format and produce to professional standards autonomously from varied source materials in a high-volume administrative environment.Document quality — audit independently for accuracy, consistency, and compliance with organizational style guides before final distribution in a professional office setting.Office filing systems — design, organize, and continuously improve to ensure reliable retrieval of active and archived documents across an administrative department.Non-routine transmission and delivery requirements — troubleshoot and resolve, selecting appropriate electronic or physical channels to meet urgent or sensitive deadlines.Desktop publishing and presentation software — apply to produce polished, visually formatted documents, reports, and presentations that meet organizational standards.CRM and database software — query and update to generate customized correspondence, mailing lists, and client records supporting office-wide administrative needs.Incoming dictation, voice recordings, and handwritten drafts — interpret and transcribe accurately under ambiguous conditions, exercising independent judgment on formatting and structure.Confidentiality and data integrity standards — uphold consistently when handling sensitive documents, correspondence, and personnel records in a professional administrative role.Office suite and document management tools — guide colleagues in their effective use, troubleshooting common issues and sharing best practices in a team environment.Workload and document production timelines — plan and self-manage across multiple simultaneous assignments to meet organizational priorities without supervisory direction.
advanced
Office-wide document production standards and style guides — develop and implement to ensure consistency and professionalism across all typed and processed materials.Clerical and typing workflows — redesign and optimize by introducing improved software tools, templates, and processes to increase team efficiency and output quality.Incoming staff and new hires in word processing roles — mentor and train on software tools, formatting standards, and quality-checking procedures in an administrative setting.Document management systems — select, configure, and govern at the departmental level to support secure storage, version control, and compliance requirements.Cross-functional correspondence and reporting processes — lead and coordinate among multiple departments to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent document production.Technology adoption decisions for office software — evaluate and recommend upgrades to word processing, database, and desktop publishing tools to meet evolving organizational needs.Administrative support service standards — set and monitor performance benchmarks for accuracy, turnaround time, and customer service within the clerical support function.Sensitive and executive-level documents — manage production and distribution with the highest levels of discretion, accuracy, and confidentiality in a professional organization.Audit and compliance reviews of document handling practices — conduct periodically to identify risks, address gaps, and uphold organizational and regulatory standards.Strategic improvements to clerical operations — propose and champion to senior leadership, using evidence from productivity metrics and quality assessments to support recommendations.
Also known as
43 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Account Clerk TypistAddresserBordereau ClerkClerk SpecialistClerk TypistContinuity ClerkCourt StenographerData TranscriberDictaphone TypistDocument ProcessorEdiphone OperatorElectromatic TypistKeyboard SpecialistLegal TranscriptionistLegal TypistMedical TypistNotereaderOffice AssistantOffice AssociateOffice ClerkOffice TechnicianOrder Processing SpecialistPolicy TypistPolicy Writer TypistProcessing SpecialistScript GirlScript WorkerStatistical TypistStencil TypistStenographerTelegraphic Typewriter OperatorTranscriberTranscribing Machine OperatorTranscription TypistTranscriptionistTyping Office Tech (Typing Office Technician)Typing Office WorkerTypistWord Processing Machine OperatorWord Processing Specialist