Word Processors and Typists in California
Considering working as a Word Processors and Typists in California? Below are the key facts. 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. Excludes “Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners” (27-3092), “Medical Transcriptionists” (31-9094), “Secretaries and Administrative Assistants” (43-6010), and “Data Entry Keyers” (43-9021).
What do Word Processors and Typists Make in California?
For word processors and typists working in California, wages run about $51,100 per year (or roughly $24.57/hour).Earnings range from $39,580 at the 10th percentile to $58,170 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| 25th percentile | $47,080 | $22.63 |
| Median (50th) | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| 75th percentile | $56,000 | $26.93 |
| 90th percentile | $58,170 | $27.96 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California nationwide is 2.32, suggesting that word processors and typists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, word processors and typists earn a median of $38,983 per year ($18.74/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 154,359 word processors and typists nationwide. In California alone, about 9,780 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 160 word processors and typists.
Top California Metros for Word Processors and Typists
The largest metro-area employers of word processors and typists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 6,750 | $53,340 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 910 | $50,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 430 | n/a |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 380 | $50,480 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 160 | $48,570 |
| Modesto, CA | 150 | $47,950 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 150 | $45,130 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 110 | $45,690 |
| Visalia, CA | 100 | $47,740 |
| Fresno, CA | 90 | $47,440 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 90 | $61,190 |
| Merced, CA | 70 | $46,610 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 60 | $54,540 |
| Salinas, CA | 40 | $55,830 |
| Vallejo, CA | 40 | $50,140 |
Top States for Word Processors and Typists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most word processors and typists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| New York | 12,870 |
| California | 9,780 |
| New Jersey | 3,370 |
| Puerto Rico | 1,830 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,700 |
| Florida | 1,270 |
| Michigan | 510 |
| Illinois | 460 |
| Georgia | 450 |
| Texas | 390 |
| Ohio | 370 |
| Virginia | 360 |
| Iowa | 340 |
| Massachusetts | 330 |
| Missouri | 300 |
| Hawaii | 290 |
| Wisconsin | 290 |
| Washington | 240 |
| Maryland | 230 |
| Minnesota | 210 |
Highest-Paying States for Word Processors and Typists
Where word processors and typists earn the most: word processors and typists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Colorado | $56,700 |
| Alaska | $53,640 |
| Oregon | $53,090 |
| Kansas | $52,250 |
| Rhode Island | $51,360 |
| California | $51,100 |
| Massachusetts | $51,030 |
| Illinois | $50,420 |
| New Jersey | $50,090 |
| Minnesota | $49,870 |
Skills
Top word processors and typists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for word processors and typists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, word processors and typists typically:
- 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.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Performing Administrative Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
- Processing Information
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Google Workspace software In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Business Support & Assistance
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Related Careers
Other careers like word processors and typists include:
- Document Management Specialists
- Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
- Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
- Medical Records Specialists
- Medical Transcriptionists
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Also Known As
Account Clerk Typist, Addresser, Bordereau Clerk, Clerk Specialist, Clerk Typist, Continuity Clerk, Court Stenographer, Data Transcriber, Dictaphone Typist, Document Processor, Ediphone Operator, Electromatic Typist, Keyboard Specialist, Legal Transcriptionist, Legal Typist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 43-9022.00