How much does a word processor and typist make?
The median word processor and typist in the United States earns $49,280 per year, about $23.69 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all word processors and typists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-9022.
Word processor and typist salary range
Pay for word processors and typists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,810 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $65,150. The average (mean) wage of $51,120 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,810 | $17.70 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $40,800 | $19.62 | |
| Median (50th) | $49,280 | $23.69 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $57,670 | $27.73 | |
| 90th percentile | $65,150 | $31.32 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for word processors and typists (SOC 43-9022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Word processor and typist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Word processors and typists earn the most in Colorado at $57,550 a year, and the least in Georgia at $31,450. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Ohio | $48,670 | 310 |
| Wisconsin | $48,540 | 180 |
| New York | $48,400 | 12,340 |
| Michigan | $47,970 | 520 |
| Texas | $47,720 | 290 |
| Maryland | $47,110 | 210 |
| Nebraska | $47,080 | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $47,040 | 120 |
| Alabama | $46,860 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $46,400 | 60 |
| Virginia | $46,130 | 290 |
| Washington | $46,110 | 140 |
| Illinois | $45,490 | 490 |
| Delaware | $45,480 | 50 |
| Oklahoma | $43,710 | 40 |
| Iowa | $43,210 | 360 |
| Arkansas | $43,010 | 40 |
| South Carolina | $42,840 | 30 |
| Arizona | $42,070 | N/A |
| Nevada | $41,290 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,000 | 1,170 |
| Hawaii | $40,060 | 270 |
| Indiana | $39,520 | 120 |
| Missouri | $37,440 | 260 |
| West Virginia | $36,060 | 80 |
| Florida | $35,770 | 1,000 |
| Georgia | $31,450 | N/A |
State median wages for word processors and typists (SOC 43-9022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for word processors and typists
The BLS projects employment of word processors and typists to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 34.4%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 40,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 26,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,900 openings a year for word processors and typists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a word processor and typist
The typical entry-level education for word processors and typists is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a word processor and typist earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Colorado, $57,550) and the lowest (Georgia, $31,450) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 35,010 people work as word processors and typists in the United States. At $49,280 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Word processor and typist salary FAQ
How much does a word processor and typist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a word processor and typist is $23.69. The middle half of word processors and typists earn between $19.62 and $27.73 per hour.
What is the highest word processor and typist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of word processors and typists earn more than $65,150 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a word processor and typist make a year?
The median annual salary for a word processor and typist is $49,280. The average (mean) wage of $51,120 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a word processor and typist a well paid job?
At $49,280 a year, a word processor and typist earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 35,010 people work as word processors and typists in the United States.
Which state pays word processors and typists the most?
Colorado has the highest median salary for word processors and typists at $57,550 a year. California ($56,380) and Massachusetts ($53,740) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a word processor and typist a good career?
Employment of word processors and typists is projected to shrink 34.4% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a word processor and typist?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for word processors and typists as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Office & Administrative salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.