Word Processor and Typist Salary
Word Processors and Typists earn a median $49,280 a year nationally. Office and Administrative Support Occupations
What word processors and typists do
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 education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -34.4% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 1,900
- Self-employed
- 11%
Employment of word processors and typists is projected to shrink 34.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Word Processor and Typist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,734
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,055
- Medicare (1.45%)$715
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$41,776
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,810 | $17.70 | $31,757 |
| 25th percentile | $40,800 | $19.62 | $34,963 |
| Median (50th) | $49,280 | $23.69 | $41,776 |
| 75th percentile | $57,670 | $27.73 | $48,518 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,150 | $31.32 | $54,528 |
Best cities for word processors and typists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $57,670 | $46,258 | $40,733 | 6,830 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $52,290 | $41,968 | $37,284 | 8,370 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $57,670
- New York, NY — $52,290
Word Processor and Typist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $57,550 | +1.5% | $46,598 | $37,760 – $69,450 | 60 |
| California | $56,380 | +10.3% | $45,316 | $40,760 – $65,720 | 10,270 |
| Massachusetts | $53,740 | +5.3% | $42,893 | $41,600 – $63,790 | 350 |
| Oregon | $52,420 | −1.3% | $40,542 | $41,820 – $62,700 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $51,550 | +3.4% | $41,618 | $47,440 – $60,860 | 210 |
| Idaho | $49,930 | +14.8% | $40,761 | $36,820 – $58,560 | 60 |
| Tennessee | $49,750 | +37.5% | $42,154 | $26,040 – $57,880 | 90 |
| New Jersey | $49,520 | −1.1% | $40,781 | $38,430 – $70,650 | 3,560 |
| Connecticut | $49,250 | +3.6% | $40,461 | $38,430 – $74,000 | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $49,180 | +3.4% | $39,911 | $41,060 – $70,390 | 120 |
| Ohio | $48,670 | +4.4% | $40,730 | $23,040 – $59,390 | 310 |
| Wisconsin | $48,540 | +3.0% | $39,827 | $38,080 – $63,200 | 180 |
| New York | $48,400 | +2.3% | $39,053 | $37,020 – $68,580 | 12,340 |
| Michigan | $47,970 | −1.2% | $38,936 | $36,940 – $59,470 | 520 |
| Texas | $47,720 | +16.7% | $40,523 | $25,400 – $62,370 | 290 |
| Maryland | $47,110 | +5.0% | $38,159 | $40,250 – $65,000 | 210 |
| Nebraska | $47,080 | +3.0% | $38,746 | $40,190 – $58,550 | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $47,040 | −8.4% | $38,830 | $37,310 – $60,070 | 120 |
| Alabama | $46,860 | −2.0% | $37,754 | $30,780 – $65,880 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $46,400 | +0.9% | $38,435 | $37,140 – $52,420 | 60 |
| Virginia | $46,130 | +18.2% | $37,407 | $31,420 – $59,970 | 290 |
| Washington | $46,110 | +10.4% | $39,229 | $40,850 – $81,750 | 140 |
| Illinois | $45,490 | −9.8% | $36,624 | $37,910 – $72,850 | 490 |
| Delaware | $45,480 | −6.8% | $36,876 | $39,120 – $83,230 | 50 |
| Oklahoma | $43,710 | +4.9% | $35,880 | $37,270 – $52,420 | 40 |
| Iowa | $43,210 | +12.8% | $35,909 | $32,130 – $54,900 | 360 |
| Arkansas | $43,010 | −1.1% | $35,274 | $35,990 – $49,730 | 40 |
| South Carolina | $42,840 | +0.4% | $35,189 | $35,320 – $58,430 | 30 |
| Arizona | $42,070 | −12.7% | $35,140 | $34,350 – $73,250 | — |
| Nevada | $41,290 | +4.4% | $35,357 | $40,700 – $52,930 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,000 | −5.0% | $33,865 | $30,400 – $60,060 | 1,170 |
| Hawaii | $40,060 | −6.7% | $32,794 | $40,060 – $54,970 | 270 |
| Indiana | $39,520 | +9.7% | $32,798 | $30,880 – $56,410 | 120 |
| Missouri | $37,440 | −7.4% | $31,441 | $35,030 – $55,690 | 260 |
| West Virginia | $36,060 | +9.7% | $30,187 | $31,460 – $41,500 | 80 |
| Florida | $35,770 | −0.8% | $30,921 | $27,520 – $61,520 | 1,000 |
| Georgia | $31,450 | −16.1% | $26,441 | $29,280 – $46,700 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Entry Keyer | $41,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | -25.5% |
| Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk | $49,230 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.9% |
| Statistical Assistant | $50,330 | Bachelor's degree | -1.8% |
| Proofreader and Copy Marker | $51,120 | Bachelor's degree | -0.9% |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $45,670 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.3% |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,010 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.0% |
| Desktop Publisher | $55,290 | Associate's degree | -14.5% |
| Office Machine Operators, Except Computer | $40,960 | High school diploma or equivalent | -14.9% |
| Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service | $39,280 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.2% |
| Information and Record Clerks, All Other | $49,500 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a word processor and typist make?
The national median salary for word processors and typists is $49,280 a year ($23.69 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,810 and the top 10% earn over $65,150. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays word processors and typists the most?
Colorado has the highest median pay at $57,550. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many word processors and typists are there in the U.S.?
About 35,010 people work as word processors and typists nationwide.