Word Processors and Typists

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Office & Administrative
• O*NET-SOC code: 43-9022
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• 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.
• Gather, register, and arrange the material to be typed, following instructions.
• Compute and verify totals on report forms, requisitions, or bills, using adding machine or calculator.
• Keep records of work performed.
• Electronically sort and compile text and numerical data, retrieving, updating, and merging documents as required.
• Search for specific sets of stored, typed characters to make changes.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Google Workspace software, Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Word, Oracle PeopleSoft

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Office Clerks, General
• Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
• Data Entry Keyers
• File Clerks
• Medical Transcriptionists
• Proofreaders and Copy Markers
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
• Office Machine Operators, Except Computer

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Word Processors and Typists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.