What Does a Typist Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a typist do?

Word processors and typists use word processing software to type letters, reports, forms and other documents. The median pay is $49,280 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -34.4% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$49,280
$23.69/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-34.4%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
1,900
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few weeks on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
40,400
Employment, 2025

What typists do

Typists produce clean documents. They type drafts and dictation, format reports and letters, proofread, fix errors and manage document templates. Many work in government, law and medical offices.

A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects a steep decline because most people now type their own documents.

Typical duties

Type documents
Format reports
Proofread
Transcribe recordings
Manage templates
Merge mailings
Keep files organized

Work environment and schedule

Typists work in offices and sometimes remotely.

Schedule: Full or part time, business hours.

A day in the life

8:00 AMType a dictated letter.
9:30 AMFormat a long report.
11:00 AMProofread contracts.
12:30 PMRun a mail merge.

See a full day in the life of a typist →

Typist salary

Half of typists earned more than $49,280 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,810 for the lowest 10% to $65,150 for the top 10%.

$36,81010th$49,280Median$65,15090th

Full typist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a typist

Finish high school
Build typing speed
Master Word
Get hired
Expand skills

A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a typist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Fast typing
Word processing
Document formatting
Proofreading
Transcription

People skills

Accuracy
Focus
Reliability
Attention to detail

All typist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Short training
Quiet work
Remote options
Clear tasks

Cons

Steep decline in jobs
Repetitive
Strain injuries
Low pay

Certifications and licenses

Microsoft Office Specialist: Word.
Typing speed certificate: Proof of WPM.
Transcription certificate: Helpful.
Proofreading course: Helpful.

Career path

Typist: Entry.
Document Specialist: Complex docs.
Administrative Assistant: Broader role.
Office Manager: Lead office.

Learn the job before day one

Our Typist training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as format a long report with styles and proofread a document thoroughly, safety and how to land your first job.

View Typist training Is this career right for me?

Data Entry Clerk

Type information into computer systems quickly and accurately.

$41,340
A few weeks on the job

Medical Transcriptionist

Turn doctors’ dictation into accurate medical records.

$40,410
Under 1 year

Administrative Assistant

Keep offices organized: calendars, communication, documents and logistics.

$47,540
Weeks to months

Court Reporter

Create word-for-word records of court proceedings and live captions.

$72,420
2–4 years

Compare: Typist vs. Data Entry Clerk · Typist vs. Medical Transcriptionist · Typist vs. Administrative Assistant · Typist vs. Court Reporter

Typist FAQ

Is typing still a job?

Yes, but BLS projects a steep decline.

What speed is needed?

Often 60 words per minute or more.

What’s a good next step?

Administrative or transcription roles.

How much does a typist make?

The median annual wage for typists was $49,280 ($23.69 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,810 and the highest 10% earned more than $65,150.

How long does it take to become a typist?

Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a typist?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-9022 (Word processors and typists).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Word processors and typists (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Typist