Typing speed requirements by job
Most roles that ask for a typing speed ask for something between 40 and 90 words per minute, and almost all of them care about accuracy more than the number suggests. Here is what listings commonly ask for, and what the typing in each job actually consists of.
Data Entry Jobs
45–60 WPMData entry listings commonly ask for 45–60 WPM, and weight accuracy far more heavily than speed.
Administrative Assistants
50–65 WPMAdministrative roles commonly ask for 50–65 WPM, with 60 the figure that appears most often.
Medical Transcription
65–90 WPMMedical transcription is among the most demanding typing roles, commonly asking 65–90 WPM at very high accuracy.
Customer Service and Live Chat
40–60 WPMCustomer service roles commonly ask for 40–60 WPM, and chat-based support sits at the higher end.
Virtual Assistants
50–70 WPMVirtual assistant work commonly asks for 50–70 WPM, and speed translates fairly directly into earnings.
Legal Secretaries
55–75 WPMLegal support roles commonly ask for 55–75 WPM, with unusually low tolerance for error.