Word Processors and Typists
Every task in this role, whether it passes the census's structural hand-over screen, which models pass it, and why. It is a screen, not a claim about what AI can do: a task can pass and still be beyond the systems of the day. The stricter and looser rules re-vote every task, and small differences between roles are noise.
Passes the screen · 4 of 19 tasks
Check completed work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 8.1% of the role's time · $137M · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Transmit work electronically to other locations.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 6.3% of the role's time · $107M · all three pass it
Compute and verify totals on report forms, requisitions, or bills, using adding machine or calculator.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.7% of the role's time · $61.8M · all three pass it
Search for specific sets of stored, typed characters to make changes.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.4% of the role's time · $57.6M · all three pass it
Does not pass
Perform other clerical duties, such as answering telephone, sorting and distributing mail, running errands or sending faxes.
physical work, outside the screen · 10.1% of the role's time · $171M
Print and make copies of work.
physical work, outside the screen · 7.9% of the role's time · $134M
File and store completed documents on computer hard drive or disk, or maintain a computer filing system to store, retrieve, update, and delete documents.
physical work, outside the screen · 7.7% of the role's time · $130M
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.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 6.7% of the role's time · $113M · waiting on a check
Address envelopes or prepare envelope labels, using typewriter or computer.
physical work, outside the screen · 5.8% of the role's time · $98.8M
Adjust settings for format, page layout, line spacing, and other style requirements.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 5.0% of the role's time · $84.1M · waiting on a check
Use data entry devices, such as optical scanners, to input data into computers for revision or editing.
physical work, outside the screen · 4.9% of the role's time · $82.9M
Keep records of work performed.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 4.7% of the role's time · $79.3M · waiting on a check
Gather, register, and arrange the material to be typed, following instructions.
physical work, outside the screen · 4.7% of the role's time · $79.3M
Collate pages of reports and other documents.
physical work, outside the screen · 4.7% of the role's time · $79.2M
Electronically sort and compile text and numerical data, retrieving, updating, and merging documents as required.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 4.0% of the role's time · $66.9M · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed · waiting on a check
Reformat documents, moving paragraphs or columns.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 3.9% of the role's time · $66.6M · waiting on a check
Manage schedules and set dates, times, and locations for meetings and appointments.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 3.1% of the role's time · $51.7M
Operate and resupply printers and computers, changing print wheels or fluid cartridges, adding paper, and loading blank tapes, cards, or disks into equipment.
physical work, outside the screen · 3.0% of the role's time · $50.9M
Work with technical material, preparing statistical reports, planning and typing statistical tables, and combining and rearranging material from different sources.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.4% of the role's time · $40.1M · waiting on a check
Where this role works
| Industry | Workers | Wage bill | Passes the screen | All three pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | 12,320 | $629M | $135M | $84.1M |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 11,580 | $563M | $121M | $75.3M |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | 2400 | $102M | $21.9M | $13.6M |
| Legal Services | 1180 | $75.4M | $16.2M | $10.1M |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | 1310 | $66.6M | $14.3M | $8.9M |
| Business Support Services | 1330 | $64.1M | $13.8M | $8.6M |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 830 | $42.5M | $9.1M | $5.7M |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 650 | $29.5M | $6.3M | $3.9M |
| Junior Colleges | 410 | $20.9M | $4.5M | $2.8M |
| Insurance Carriers | 390 | $19.1M | $4.1M | $2.5M |