What typing speed do employers require?
The short answer
Typing speed requirements vary widely by role. Most knowledge-work jobs don't set a formal minimum, but 40 WPM is the informal baseline for office work, with data-entry and transcription roles typically requiring 60–80 WPM.
The data
| Role | Typical requirement | Accuracy req. |
|---|---|---|
| General office / admin | 40–60 WPM | 95%+ |
| Data entry clerk | 60–80 WPM | 98%+ |
| Customer service / live chat | 50–70 WPM | 95%+ |
| Medical transcriptionist | 65–75 WPM | 98%+ |
| Legal secretary | 65–80 WPM | 98–99% |
| Court reporter / stenographer | 225 WPM (steno machine) | 98%+ |
| Software developer (typical) | 55–70 WPM | — |
| Journalist / copywriter | 60–80 WPM | — |
Accuracy matters more than speed in most roles: A 65 WPM typist at 99% accuracy produces cleaner work than an 80 WPM typist at 92% accuracy. Employers in medical and legal fields weight accuracy heavily — a single transcription error can have serious consequences.
What it means for you
Take the Typing Speed test to get your current WPM and accuracy. If you're preparing for a job that requires a specific speed, use the test regularly to track your improvement toward the target.
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Quick Answer
Most office jobs expect 40–60 WPM. Data entry roles typically require 60–80 WPM. Medical transcriptionists and legal secretaries often need 65–75 WPM with high accuracy. Programmers average 55–70 WPM.
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