Typing Speed Requirements by Job: What WPM Do You Need?

Quick Reference: Typing Speed by Job Category

High-Speed Professions (60+ WPM Required)

Data Entry Specialist

Minimum: 55-60 WPM | Preferred: 70-80 WPM | Accuracy: 98%+

• Enter data from documents into databases
• Speed directly impacts productivity
• Often tested with numeric keypad proficiency
• Some companies require 10,000+ keystrokes per hour

Medical Transcriptionist

Minimum: 60-65 WPM | Preferred: 75-85 WPM | Accuracy: 98%+

• Transcribe doctor recordings into medical records
• Medical terminology knowledge required
• Accuracy is critical for patient safety
• Certification exams test 60+ WPM

Legal Transcriptionist

Minimum: 60-70 WPM | Preferred: 80-90 WPM | Accuracy: 99%+

• Transcribe legal proceedings and documents
• Legal terminology proficiency needed
• Extreme accuracy requirement
• Confidentiality and detail-oriented

Court Reporter / Stenographer

Minimum: 225 WPM (stenotype) | Preferred: 250+ WPM | Accuracy: 95%+

• Real-time transcription of court proceedings
• Uses specialized stenotype machine (not regular keyboard)
• Certification requires passing 225 WPM test
• Different skill from traditional typing

Executive Secretary / Executive Assistant

Minimum: 60-65 WPM | Preferred: 70-80 WPM | Accuracy: 97%+

• Heavy email correspondence
• Meeting notes and minutes
• Document preparation
• Scheduling and coordination

Closed Captioner (Live)

Minimum: 200+ WPM (stenotype) | Preferred: 220+ WPM | Accuracy: 98%+

• Real-time captioning for TV/events
• Uses stenotype or voice writing
• Must keep pace with live speech
• FCC has accuracy requirements

Moderate-Speed Professions (40-60 WPM)

Administrative Assistant

Minimum: 40-50 WPM | Preferred: 55-65 WPM | Accuracy: 95%+

• General office support duties
• Correspondence and filing
• Most common typing requirement
• Job postings usually specify 40-50 WPM

Customer Service Representative (Chat/Email)

Minimum: 40-45 WPM | Preferred: 50-60 WPM | Accuracy: 93%+

• Respond to customer inquiries via chat/email
• Speed affects response time metrics
• Pre-written responses help efficiency
• Multitasking with multiple chats

Content Writer / Copywriter

Minimum: 40-50 WPM | Preferred: 60-70 WPM | Accuracy: 95%+

• Write articles, blog posts, marketing copy
• Thinking time exceeds typing time
• Faster typing = more output potential
• Editing matters more than speed

Journalist / Reporter

Minimum: 50-60 WPM | Preferred: 65-75 WPM | Accuracy: 95%+

• Write news articles under deadlines
• Interview transcription
• Fast typing helps meet deadlines
• mobile typing also important

Paralegal / Legal Assistant

Minimum: 45-55 WPM | Preferred: 60-70 WPM | Accuracy: 97%+

• Draft legal documents
• Case research and filing
• High accuracy requirement
• Legal terminology knowledge

Medical Office Staff / Healthcare Admin

Minimum: 35-45 WPM | Preferred: 50-60 WPM | Accuracy: 95%+

• Patient records and scheduling
• Insurance documentation
• Medical terminology helpful
• HIPAA compliance required

Virtual Assistant

Minimum: 45-50 WPM | Preferred: 60-70 WPM | Accuracy: 95%+

• Remote administrative support
• Email management, scheduling
• Research and data organization
• Varies by client needs

Teacher / Professor

Minimum: 35-40 WPM | Preferred: 45-55 WPM | Accuracy: 93%+

• Lesson plans and grading
• Email communication with students/parents
• Not heavily typing-focused
• Sufficient for educational tasks

Technical Professions (30-50 WPM)

Software Developer / Programmer

Minimum: 30-40 WPM | Preferred: 50-60 WPM | Accuracy: 90%+

• Write and debug code
• Thinking time > typing time
• IDE autocomplete reduces typing
• Keyboard shortcuts more important

Web Developer / Designer

Minimum: 35-40 WPM | Preferred: 50-60 WPM | Accuracy: 92%+

• HTML/CSS/JavaScript coding
• Visual design reduces typing need
• Documentation writing benefits from speed
• Client communication via email

IT Support / Help Desk

Minimum: 35-40 WPM | Preferred: 45-55 WPM | Accuracy: 92%+

• Ticket documentation
• Email/chat support
• Troubleshooting notes
• Moderate typing load

Accountant / Bookkeeper

Minimum: 35-45 WPM | Preferred: 50-60 WPM | Accuracy: 98%+

• Numeric data entry (10-key important)
• Financial reports
• Accuracy more critical than speed
• Excel proficiency key

Engineer (Various Fields)

Minimum: 30-40 WPM | Preferred: 45-55 WPM | Accuracy: 92%+

• Technical documentation
• Reports and analysis
• Not heavily typing-focused
• Specialized software use

Management & Professional Services (25-45 WPM)

Manager / Supervisor

Minimum: 30-35 WPM | Preferred: 40-50 WPM | Accuracy: 90%+

• Email communication
• Reports and presentations
• More meetings than typing
• Delegation reduces typing need

Sales Representative

Minimum: 25-35 WPM | Preferred: 40-50 WPM | Accuracy: 90%+

• CRM data entry
• Proposal writing
• Client emails
• Verbal skills more important

Project Manager

Minimum: 35-40 WPM | Preferred: 45-55 WPM | Accuracy: 92%+

• Status reports and documentation
• Stakeholder communication
• Project planning documents
• Moderate typing requirement

Human Resources Specialist

Minimum: 40-45 WPM | Preferred: 50-60 WPM | Accuracy: 95%+

• Job postings and candidate communication
• Policy documentation
• Employee records
• Interview notes

Marketing Specialist

Minimum: 40-45 WPM | Preferred: 50-60 WPM | Accuracy: 93%+

• Campaign documentation
• Social media content
• Marketing reports
• Strategy matters more than speed

Government & Public Sector Jobs

Government Clerk / Stenographer (India)

SSC Requirements:

• English: 35 WPM (10,500 keystrokes/hour)
• Hindi: 30 wpm (9,000 keystrokes/hour)
• Tested in final tier of exam
• Mandatory qualifying test

Lower Division Clerk (LDC)

Minimum: 30-35 WPM | Test: English or Hindi

• File management and documentation
• Office correspondence
• Data compilation

Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant

Minimum: 25-30 WPM | Test: Basic computer knowledge

• Data entry for postal operations
• Counter operations
• Mail sorting documentation

Court Clerk

Minimum: 45-50 WPM | Preferred: 60+ WPM | Accuracy: 98%+

• Court documentation
• Case filing and records
• Legal terminology knowledge

How Employers Test Typing Speed

Pre-Employment Typing Tests

Common formats:

• Timed tests: 3-5 minute typing passages
• Metrics measured: WPM, accuracy percentage, error count
• Passing criteria: Minimum WPM + minimum accuracy (usually 90-95%)
• Test platforms: Indeed Assessments, TypingTest.com, custom software

Common Testing Platforms

What to Expect

1. Notification: Receive email with test link (often timed, complete within 24-48 hours)
2. Practice test: Usually 1-minute warmup
3. Actual test: 3-5 minute timed passage
4. Results: Immediate WPM and accuracy score
5. Pass/Fail: Based on employer's requirements

Test-Taking Tips

• Use a physical keyboard (not laptop keyboard if possible)
• Sit in quiet environment with good lighting
• Warm up before test (take practice tests)
• Prioritize accuracy over speed (95%+ accuracy is critical)
• Don't panic if you make errors—keep typing smoothly
• Use the practice test to familiarize with interface

Accuracy vs Speed Requirements

Accuracy Thresholds by Job Type

General rule: If speed requirement is high, accuracy requirement is also high. Employers rarely accept speed without accuracy.

How to Prepare for Typing Tests

If You're Below Required Speed

Timeline to improve:

• 30 → 40 WPM: 4-6 weeks of daily practice
• 40 → 50 WPM: 6-8 weeks of daily practice
• 50 → 60 WPM: 8-12 weeks of daily practice

Practice plan (30 minutes daily):

1. 10 minutes: Technique drills (home row, finger placement)
2. 15 minutes: Typing tests at target speed
3. 5 minutes: Slow, accurate typing to reinforce correct patterns

Practice Resources

• TypingTestGo: Realistic tests similar to employment tests
• TypingClub: Structured lessons for beginners
• Keybr: Identifies and improves weak keys
• TypeRacer: Fun competitive practice

Day Before Test

• Take 3-5 practice tests
• Note your average speed and accuracy
• Get good sleep (fatigue reduces speed)
• Prepare quiet workspace

Day of Test

• Warm up with 2-3 practice tests
• Close all distractions
• Use physical keyboard you're comfortable with
• Take deep breaths—nervousness slows typing

Industry-Specific Requirements

Healthcare Industry

• Medical transcription: 60+ WPM
• Medical billing: 45-55 WPM
• Hospital administration: 40-50 WPM
• Nursing (documentation): 30-40 WPM

Legal Industry

• Court reporter: 225+ WPM (stenotype)
• Legal secretary: 60-70 WPM
• Paralegal: 50-60 WPM
• Legal transcription: 65-75 WPM

Call Centers / BPO

• Chat support: 45-55 WPM
• Email support: 40-50 WPM
• Technical support: 35-45 WPM
• Data verification: 50-60 WPM

Finance & Banking

• Bank teller: 25-35 WPM
• Financial analyst: 35-45 WPM
• Accounting clerk: 40-50 WPM
• Insurance claims: 45-55 WPM

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all jobs require typing tests?

No. Only positions with significant typing duties require pre-employment typing tests. Management, sales, and many technical roles don't test typing.

Can I retake a failed typing test?

Depends on employer. Some allow retakes after 3-6 months, others are one-time. Always ask the recruiter.

Is 40 WPM enough for most office jobs?

Yes, 40 WPM meets minimum requirements for general administrative work. However, 50+ WPM makes you more competitive.

Do employers care more about speed or accuracy?

Accuracy. Most employers prefer 45 WPM at 98% accuracy over 60 WPM at 85% accuracy. Errors cost time and money.

What if the job posting doesn't mention typing speed?

If the role involves significant computer work but doesn't list requirements, assume 35-40 WPM minimum is expected.

Final Recommendations

Target Speed by Career Stage