What Is a Good WPM for Different Jobs? Industry Standards Explained

When preparing for a job that requires typing skills, one of the first questions candidates ask is "How fast do I need to type?" The answer depends significantly on the specific role and industry. Understanding these benchmarks helps you set appropriate practice goals and present your skills confidently during the application process.

General Office and Administrative Roles

Most general office positions expect a typing speed of 40 to 50 WPM with reasonable accuracy (95% or higher). Administrative assistants, receptionists, and office coordinators fall into this category. These roles involve typing emails, memos, and basic documents, but typing is typically one of many responsibilities rather than the primary task.

Executive assistants and senior administrative professionals are often held to higher standards, with employers expecting 55 to 70 WPM. These roles frequently involve taking meeting notes, drafting correspondence, and managing large volumes of written communication.

Data Entry Positions

Data entry is one of the most typing-intensive professions, and employers set correspondingly high standards. Entry-level data entry positions typically require 45 to 55 WPM, while experienced data entry specialists are expected to type 60 to 80 WPM.

Accuracy is particularly critical in data entry. Most employers require 98% accuracy or higher, since errors in data entry can have significant downstream consequences. A data entry professional who types at 55 WPM with 99% accuracy is generally preferred over one who types at 75 WPM with 95% accuracy.

Numeric data entry, which involves typing primarily numbers using the numeric keypad, is measured separately. A good speed for numeric keypad entry is 8,000 to 10,000 keystrokes per hour (KPH), which roughly translates to 130 to 170 keystrokes per minute.

Legal and Court Reporting

The legal field has some of the highest typing speed requirements. Legal secretaries and paralegals are typically expected to type 60 to 75 WPM, as they frequently transcribe legal documents, depositions, and court filings that require both speed and precision.

Court reporters, who create real-time transcripts of legal proceedings, use specialized stenography machines and are expected to achieve speeds of 200 to 300 WPM. While this is a different skill from standard keyboard typing, it illustrates the extreme speed requirements in legal transcription.

Medical Transcription

Medical transcriptionists convert voice recordings from healthcare providers into written reports. The industry standard is 55 to 70 WPM for typing speed, but the real challenge lies in accurately transcribing complex medical terminology, drug names, and anatomical terms.

Many medical transcription positions also require familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems and medical coding. Speed is important, but accuracy with specialized vocabulary is the distinguishing factor for top performers.

Journalism and Content Writing

Professional writers and journalists benefit from fast typing, though it's rarely a formal requirement. Most successful writers type between 50 and 80 WPM. The ability to type quickly allows writers to capture ideas as they flow and meet tight deadlines.

For journalists conducting interviews, fast typing enables real-time note-taking without relying solely on audio recordings. Many journalists aim for 60 WPM or higher to keep pace with spoken conversation.

How to Prepare

If you're preparing for a job that requires a typing test, practice with content similar to what you'll encounter on the job. Data entry candidates should practice with tables and numeric data. Legal professionals should practice with formal language and legal terminology. Use timed tests to simulate the pressure of a real assessment, and track your progress over time to ensure you're meeting your target speed before the interview.