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Typist vs general clerk

The differences between typists and general clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a typist, becoming a general clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a general clerk has an average salary of $33,254, which is higher than the $32,143 average annual salary of a typist.

The top three skills for a typist include data entry, WPM and real estate. The most important skills for a general clerk are customer service, data entry, and office procedures.

Typist vs general clerk overview

TypistGeneral Clerk
Yearly salary$32,143$33,254
Hourly rate$15.45$15.99
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs34,028141,570
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age5047
Years of experience122

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.

What does a general clerk do?

General clerks are responsible for a variety of miscellaneous and administrative tasks within an organization. These include answering and transferring calls, sorting and delivering incoming emails, and scheduling appointments. They are also responsible for providing information to clients and staff members, preparing and processing bills and office documents, and performing data entry tasks. General clerks are often employed in almost all industries. This position typically requires a high school diploma and basic knowledge of computer applications such as spreadsheet software and word processing.

Typist vs general clerk salary

Typists and general clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

TypistGeneral Clerk
Average salary$32,143$33,254
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $48,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyErie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCESNational Grid plc
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between typist and general clerk education

There are a few differences between a typist and a general clerk in terms of educational background:

TypistGeneral Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-Western Carolina University

Typist vs general clerk demographics

Here are the differences between typists' and general clerks' demographics:

TypistGeneral Clerk
Average age5047
Gender ratioMale, 11.2% Female, 88.8%Male, 33.1% Female, 66.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% Asian, 4.7% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 9.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage7%6%

Differences between typist and general clerk duties and responsibilities

Typist example 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.
  • Show more

General clerk example responsibilities.

  • Excel, beginners & PowerPoint, beginners.
  • Have knowledge of CPRS navigation and ICD-9 codes.
  • Engage in transactions involving cash where constant math and arithmetic occurs.
  • Utilize PowerPoint to communicate daily, weekly contest, and training material.
  • Close money bags daily using math and also logic (when necessary).
  • Assist the 2010 CFC group with their video presentations to galvanize employee donations throughout entire FSA.
  • Show more

Typist vs general clerk skills

Common typist skills
  • Data Entry, 19%
  • WPM, 13%
  • Real Estate, 8%
  • Telephone Calls, 8%
  • Computer Database, 6%
  • Escrow, 5%
Common general clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Office Procedures, 6%
  • Veterans, 6%
  • Office Equipment, 5%
  • Citizenship, 5%

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