Careers · Explore one path
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.
Other titles employers use
Clerk Specialist · Clerk Typist · Keyboard Specialist · Office Technician · Stenographer · Typist · Word Processor · Dictaphone Typist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Time Management
Subjects to know
- Administrative
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
Useful strengths
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 1.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.8 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 52%
- A certificate or some college 45%
- A two-year degree 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Office suite software
- Document management software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Accounting software
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 13,890
- Job openings each year
- 20
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 1.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 13,890 | 20 | 1.2% |
| California | 5,600 | 630 | −38.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 3,150 | 350 | −37.9% |
| New Jersey | 2,430 | 270 | −39.1% |
| Puerto Rico | 1,480 | 170 | −34.2% |
| Florida | 1,170 | 140 | −29.5% |
| Georgia | 540 | 70 | −27.0% |
| Virginia | 510 | 60 | −34.6% |
| Michigan | 470 | 50 | −40.5% |
| Ohio | 330 | 40 | −38.9% |
| Utah | 310 | 40 | −29.5% |
| Arizona | 290 | 30 | −37.0% |
| Iowa | 260 | 30 | −36.6% |
| Illinois | 200 | 20 | −35.5% |
| Missouri | 200 | 20 | −35.5% |
| Texas | 200 | 20 | −31.0% |
| Maryland | 190 | 20 | −34.5% |
| Washington | 190 | 20 | −17.4% |
| Wisconsin | 190 | 20 | −40.6% |
| Oklahoma | 180 | 20 | −30.8% |
| Louisiana | 170 | 20 | −37.0% |
| Connecticut | 150 | 20 | −28.6% |
| Idaho | 150 | 20 | −31.8% |
| North Carolina | 150 | 20 | −34.8% |
| Tennessee | 150 | 20 | −34.8% |
| Indiana | 140 | 20 | −36.4% |
| Rhode Island | 140 | 20 | −36.4% |
| Colorado | 120 | 10 | −29.4% |
| Nebraska | 110 | 10 | −26.7% |
| District of Columbia | 100 | 10 | −37.5% |
| Massachusetts | 100 | 10 | −28.6% |
| West Virginia | 100 | 10 | −23.1% |
| Kentucky | 80 | 10 | −33.3% |
| Alaska | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Alabama | 60 | 10 | −33.3% |
| Minnesota | 60 | 10 | −33.3% |
| Oregon | 60 | 10 | −25.0% |
| New Mexico | 50 | 10 | −28.6% |
| Arkansas | 40 | 0 | −33.3% |
| Mississippi | 40 | 0 | −33.3% |
| South Carolina | 40 | 0 | −20.0% |
| Delaware | 30 | 0 | −25.0% |
| North Dakota | 20 | 0 | −33.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Valdosta State University
- Degrees each year
- 22
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
The University of Tampa
- Degrees each year
- 16
- Admit rate
- 41%
- Annual cost after aid
- $32,000
Northwest Missouri State University
- Degrees each year
- 2
- Admit rate
- 86%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Compare every college offering data entry/microcomputer applications