Word Processors and Typists Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for word processors and typists in the U.S. is $49,280 ($23.69 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $49,280
- Mean annual wage
- $51,120
- Median hourly wage
- $23.69
- Employment
- 35,010
35,010 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| 25th percentile | $40,800 | $19.62 |
| Median (50th) | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| 75th percentile | $57,670 | $27.73 |
| 90th percentile | $65,150 | $31.32 |
Highest-paying states for word processors and typists
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $57,550 | 60 |
| California | $56,380 | 10,270 |
| Massachusetts | $53,740 | 350 |
| Oregon | $52,420 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $51,550 | 210 |
| Idaho | $49,930 | 60 |
| Tennessee | $49,750 | 90 |
| New Jersey | $49,520 | 3,560 |
| Connecticut | $49,250 | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $49,180 | 120 |
Lowest-paying states
- Georgia: $31,450 median annual wage
- Florida: $35,770 median annual wage
- West Virginia: $36,060 median annual wage
- Missouri: $37,440 median annual wage
- Indiana: $39,520 median annual wage
About this occupation
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.
Typical tasks
- Search for specific sets of stored, typed characters to make changes.
- Reformat documents, moving paragraphs or columns.
- Electronically sort and compile text and numerical data, retrieving, updating, and merging documents as required.
- Manage schedules and set dates, times, and locations for meetings and appointments.
- File and store completed documents on computer hard drive or disk, or maintain a computer filing system to store, retrieve, update, and delete documents.
- Keep records of work performed.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 2.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 26.7% |
| Some college, no degree | 30.0% |
| Associate's degree | 16.0% |
| Bachelor's degree | 19.4% |
| Master's degree | 4.7% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.8% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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- Receptionists and Information Clerks$38,010
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About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.