A Typist is a professional who specializes in typing text, usually from handwritten notes or audio recordings, into formatted documents. They are skilled in fast and accurate typing, ensuring that documents are error-free and well-presented.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Years in related career: None
On-the-job training: Short-term
Projected Growth: -38.6% (negative growth)
Annual job openings: 2 200
Direct AI exposure: 19% of tasks
Potential AI exposure: 78% of tasks
| Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2025 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is General Office Support Workers. According to the wage tables, average income is $50K per year. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% | Bottom 25% | Median (average) | Top 25% | Top 10% |
| $34K per year | $41K per year | $50K per year | $59K per year | $71K per year |
| Compared to other careers: Median is $15K below the national average. | ||||
Typists often work in office settings, including government agencies, legal offices, healthcare facilities, and business corporations. Their environment typically involves working at a computer for extended periods, and may include transcribing meetings or legal proceedings.
Typists play a crucial role in efficiently converting spoken or handwritten content into well-organized, readable, and accurate text documents. They must be adept at understanding different accents and dialects, as well as specialized terminology, particularly in fields like law and medicine. Typists need to have excellent concentration and attention to detail to ensure accuracy in their transcriptions.
In addition to typing skills, they must be familiar with various document formats and proficient in word processing software. They may also need to edit and format documents according to specific guidelines. As technology advances, typists must stay updated with the latest transcription software and tools, which can include voice recognition technology.
The role of a typist is evolving, with increased use of automated transcription services. However, their skill in understanding context, nuance, and specialized terminology continues to be valuable, particularly in fields where accuracy is paramount, such as legal transcription or medical documentation.
Typically, a high school diploma or equivalent is required, with additional training in typing and computer skills. Some positions may require vocational training or certification, but generally, no advanced degree is necessary.
Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.