Word Processors and Typists

Word Processors and Typists score 74 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #37 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 20 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 14 on its own and 2 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 14 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

74/ 100

High

Rank: #37of 923 jobs
US workers: 35,010BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $49,280a year
In real AI use: 14 of 20tasks, April–May 2026

Free report

Follow how AI is changing word processors and typists work.

Subscribe to the weekly report and get The AI Job Exposure Report (PDF) right away: the most and least exposed jobs, exposure by field, and the AI-resilient jobs that pay well.

Free · one email a week · unsubscribe anytime

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 14 (70%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 2 (10%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 4 (20%)

Check completed work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
File and store completed documents on computer hard drive or disk, or maintain a computer filing system to store, retrieve, update, and delete documents.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Address envelopes or prepare envelope labels, using typewriter or computer.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
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.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Gather, register, and arrange the material to be typed, following instructions.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Compute and verify totals on report forms, requisitions, or bills, using adding machine or calculator.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Keep records of work performed.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Electronically sort and compile text and numerical data, retrieving, updating, and merging documents as required.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Search for specific sets of stored, typed characters to make changes.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Collate pages of reports and other documents.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Reformat documents, moving paragraphs or columns.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Adjust settings for format, page layout, line spacing, and other style requirements.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Work with technical material, preparing statistical reports, planning and typing statistical tables, and combining and rearranging material from different sources.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Transcribe stenotyped notes of court proceedings.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Use data entry devices, such as optical scanners, to input data into computers for revision or editing.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Manage schedules and set dates, times, and locations for meetings and appointments.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Perform other clerical duties, such as answering telephone, sorting and distributing mail, running errands or sending faxes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Print and make copies of work.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Transmit work electronically to other locations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
Operate and resupply printers and computers, changing print wheels or fluid cartridges, adding paper, and loading blank tapes, cards, or disks into equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

What you can do about it

Get a personal plan for what to learn next.

Skill Half Life turns this score into a 90-day plan for your situation: your realistic options, the skills that carry over, and training that fits your time and budget. Coming soon.

See your options

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

Other jobs in this field

Office and Administrative Support occupations close to this one.

All office and administrative support jobs and AI

Questions about word processors and typists and AI

Will AI replace word processors and typists?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Word Processors and Typists score 74 out of 100 (high exposure), #37 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 16 of the job's 20 tasks, 14 of them on its own, while 4 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which word processors and typists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "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"; "Address envelopes or prepare envelope labels, using typewriter or computer".

Which word processors and typists tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Perform other clerical duties, such as answering telephone, sorting and distributing mail, running errands or sending faxes"; "Print and make copies of work"; "Transmit work electronically to other locations".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 14 of the 20 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as word processors and typists, and what do they earn?

About 35,010 people in the US, with median pay of $49,280 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.