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How to hire a typist

Typist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring typists in the United States:

  • There are a total of 19,008 typists in the US, and there are currently 34,028 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a typist is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per typist on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Buffalo, NY, has the highest demand for typists, with 7 job openings.

How to hire a typist, step by step

To hire a typist, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a typist, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step typist hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a typist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new typist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a typist do?

A typist is responsible for typing all of a company's documents and materials, including reports, policies, and correspondence. A typist may also be known as a word processor or copy clerk. They are a professional who may work for companies or individuals. Their job responsibilities may include typing up letters, filling out forms, creating transcriptions of audio recordings, or organizing documents. They may also have to answer phones.

Learn more about the specifics of what a typist does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a typist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a typist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a typist that fits the bill.

    This list presents typist salaries for various positions.

    Type of TypistDescriptionHourly rate
    Typist$10-23
    Room ClerkA room clerk is responsible for receiving guests and assigning them to their respective rooms, typically in a hotel setting. Room clerks manage guests' reservations, explain the policies of the premises, and process their payments for staying at the hotel... Show more$12-17
    ClerkClerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies... Show more$11-18
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Data Entry
    • WPM
    • Real Estate
    • Telephone Calls
    • Computer Database
    • Escrow
    • Word Processing
    • Payroll
    • Front Desk
    • Endorsements
    • Computer System
    • Title Commitments
    • PowerPoint
    • Clerical Support
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Process and obtain DoD secret level clearance.
    • Complete HTML coding for online versions of books and newsletters.
    • Assist in providing telephone help desk support to troubleshoot application questions.
    • Update title work from mark up commitment prepare by the escrow closers.
    • Type, copy, assemble and distribute policies to escrow officers and clients.
    • Type policies, endorsements, amendments and other miscellaneous materials for insure and their agents.
    More typist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your typist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A typist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a typist in Georgia may be lower than in California, and an entry-level typist usually earns less than a senior-level typist. Additionally, a typist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average typist salary

    $15.45hourly

    $32,143 yearly

    Entry-level typist salary
    $21,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 22, 2026

    Average typist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$42,925$21
    2New York$33,395$16
    3Oregon$32,817$16
    4Washington$32,073$15
    5Pennsylvania$30,876$15
    6Iowa$30,073$14
    7Texas$29,821$14
    8Minnesota$29,168$14
    9Florida$23,451$11

    Average typist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES$43,406$20.87
    2Buffalo Schools$34,791$16.73
    3Ithaca City School District$33,084$15.91
    4AmTrust Financial$32,686$15.712
    5King Technology$32,123$15.44
    6Iowa State Association of Counties$31,905$15.34
    7Iowa Department of Transportation$31,773$15.28
    8EisnerAmper$31,667$15.22
    9Randstad North America, Inc.$31,632$15.218
    10Donnellyboland$30,488$14.66
    11Robert Half$30,392$14.61178
    12Kramer$24,950$12.00
  4. Writing a typist job description

    A job description for a typist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a typist job description:

    Typist job description example

    BUFFALO BOARD OF EDUCATION
    DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
    ROOM 720 CITY HALL
    BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202

    RECRUITMENT BULLETIN #21-514c October 14, 2022

    BUFFALO BOARD OF EDUCATION VACANCY

    Civil Service Residency Requirements will apply

    POSITION: Typist - Temporary

    SALARY: $37,632 - $42,765

    LOCATION: Special Education MDR Office, Room 428 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202

    NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE TAKEN THE CIVIL SERVICE TYPIST EXAM GIVEN ON 10-23-21 OR 10-24-21 TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.

    APPLICATION: CANDIDATES FOR THIS POSITION SHOULD COMPLETE AN APPLICATION AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.buffaloschools.org
    Applications successfully received will generate a confirmation email to the account listed on the application. If you do not receive a confirmation email, we cannot guarantee that your application was received. You must submit an application until you receive a confirmation email.

    DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

    Typists perform routine clerical work, which involves the operation of equipment requiring the manipulation of a standard alphanumeric keyboard in accordance with standards of acceptable levels of production. The types of equipment used to produce correspondence, reports, charts, etc. include Electronic Word Processing Equipment, Personal Computers, Data Terminals, Printers, etc.. This position is also characterized by a broad responsibility for the performance of non-typing clerical tasks. Work is routine in nature, however, as incumbents gain experience on assignments and unit activities, additional and more complex duties are added. These additional duties do not reach the difficulty or complexity of work associated with the senior level of this series. Although detailed instructions are given for new or difficult assignments with procedures that are definitely fixed, incumbents must exercise independent judgment in applying them to specific cases. Work is reviewed either by observation, periodic or spot checks, cross checking by others or by checking the completed work. (This class is equivalent to that of Clerk with the exception that incumbents must have the ability to type at a reasonable rate of speed.) No supervision is exercised over other employees.

    TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
    • Types correspondence, reports, documents, records and other materials from various sources under varying degrees of direction using equipment with the alphanumeric keyboard;
      • sets up, makes adjustments and operates a variety of equipment in order to produce a typed copy from a variety of sources;
      • proofreads typed copy and makes corrections;
      • composes and types routine correspondence and memoranda from verbal and/or written instructions.
    • Performs a variety of non-typing clerical tasks as assigned;
    • Files and maintains records, reports and other documents:
      • checks for clerical accuracy and completeness;
      • opens, dates, sorts, distributes and files mail;
      • sorts, indexes and files bills, requisitions, ledger cards and other material alphabetically and/or numerically;
      • posts and makes entries from original sources and maintains records, bills, control cards and ledgers;
      • makes file searches and pulls needed material.
    • Issues and records licenses, permits and applications;
    • Collects fees and accounts for monies received;
    • Maintains time reports and payroll data;
    • Assists in compiling data, statistics and other basic information for research purposes;
    • Answers telephone or switchboard: takes messages and gives routine information;
    • May act as receptionist, directing callers to proper persons or sources of information
    • Inputs and retrieves data using a computer terminal;
    • May operate copy machines, microfilm, simple computing and other office machines;
    • Performs related duties as required.

    FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
    • Working knowledge of office terminology, procedures and equipment;
    • Working knowledge of proper grammatical usage, punctuation and spelling;
    • Working knowledge of business arithmetic;
    • Ability to type from clear copy or rough draft at a reasonable rate of speed (35 wpm);
    • Ability to be trained in the operation of data processing equipment, computer terminal equipment and related data processing equipment used in the input/output of data;
    • Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions;
    • Clerical aptitude;
    • Ability to write legibly;
    • Ability to get along well with others;
    • Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

    Open Competitive

    Graduation from High School, Business School, GED or Equivalency Diploma, including or supplemented by a course in typing or keyboarding (proof of education/courses must be presented at time of appointment).

    FINAL FILING DATE: October 21, 2022

    APPROVED:

    Tami Hollie-McGee
    Chief of Human Resources
  5. Post your job

    To find typists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any typists they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level typists with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your typist job on Zippia to find and recruit typist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with typist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new typist

    Once you've found the typist candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a typist?

Before you start to hire typists, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire typists pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $32,143 per year for a typist, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for typists in the US typically range between $10 and $23 an hour.

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