As an administrative professional, your typing speed isn’t just a nice-to-have skill but a core part of your daily workflow. Whether you’re taking meeting minutes, managing calendars, responding to emails, or entering data, typing quickly and accurately helps you stay productive, efficient, and one step ahead.
Typing speed may seem like a basic skill, but sharpening it can have a big impact on your performance and confidence at work. And if you’re searching for how your speed compares to others or how to improve it, you’re in the right place.
Let’s look at the average words per minute speed is, and determine how fast is fast enough for your administrative role.
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Why Typing Speed Matters in Admin Roles
In fast-paced office environments, typing rates affect everything from task turnaround time to communication flow. Some roles even require a formal words-per-minute (WPM) typing test during the application process. For others, typing speed is a behind-the-scenes superpower that allows you to get more done in less time.
Think about it this way: if you type at 40 WPM and spend an hour a day on email, increasing your speed to 70 WPM could save you nearly 25 minutes daily—that’s over two hours per week reclaimed.
That time adds up for administrative assistants, executive assistants, and office managers.
What’s the Average Typing Speed?
Let’s look at some common benchmarks for typing speed:
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General population: ~40 WPM
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Administrative professionals: ~60–70 WPM
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Advanced typists: 80+ WPM
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Professional transcriptionists or stenographers: 100+ WPM
If you’re an admin typing around 60 WPM, you’re hitting the average speed expected for your role. At 80 WPM or more, you’re not just efficient; you’re in the upper tier of professional typists.
How to Check Your Typing Speed
You can easily test your current WPM using free online tools like:
These sites offer quick assessments and often include accuracy scores, too, because typing fast doesn’t mean much if you’re making frequent errors. Some tools even let you download a certificate of your results, which you can include in your portfolio or resume when applying to roles that value technical proficiency.
7 Practical Ways to Improve Your Typing Speed
If your current WPM isn’t where you’d like it to be, don’t worry! Typing is a skill that improves with practice. Here are 7 practical tips to help take your speed (and accuracy) to the next level:
1. Take a Baseline Test
Start by knowing where you stand. Take a quick typing test and write down your WPM and accuracy rate. Use this as your starting point and retest regularly to measure growth.
2. Learn Touch Typing
Touch typing is the fastest and most efficient way to type. It involves placing your fingers on the home row keys (ASDF for the left hand, JKL; for the right) and typing without looking at the keyboard. This reduces mistakes and increases speed over time.
If you’re still peeking at your keyboard, try free tools like Ratatype or TypingClub for guided touch typing lessons.
3. Use Daily Typing Drills
Repetition builds muscle memory. Commit to just 10 minutes a day of structured drills. Many platforms offer practice sentences, time-based challenges, and even games to keep you motivated.
4. Focus on Accuracy First
Speed comes with time, but accuracy should be your first priority. Slow down slightly if needed to reduce errors. Correcting mistakes costs more time in the long run than slowing your pace slightly to avoid them.
5. Improve Ergonomics
Your setup matters. When typing, be cognizant of sitting with:
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Your feet flat on the floor
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Back supported by your chair
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Wrists flat and relaxed
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Monitor at eye level and about 18–24 inches from your face
A poorly positioned keyboard or screen can lead to fatigue, which slows you down over time.
6. Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Part of typing efficiency is knowing when you don’t have to type. Learn common shortcuts (like Ctrl + C to copy and Ctrl + Z to undo) to reduce mouse clicks and keep your fingers moving. Removing your fingers from the keyboard to use the mouse can slow you down.
7. Retest Regularly
Set a calendar reminder to check your WPM every few weeks or months. Not only does this hold you accountable, but it also shows how your skills are progressing, which is great for performance reviews or resume updates.
Typing Speed and Career Growth
Improving your typing speed is all about positioning yourself as a highly capable professional. Strong typing and tech skills are key differentiators, whether you’re hoping to take on more responsibility, support more executives, or transition into a more senior admin role..
Build Skills That Go Beyond the Keyboard
At ASAP, we believe in helping administrative professionals grow in every area, not just typing. From project management to executive communication, we offer courses and webinars tailored to your career path.
Ready to expand your skillset?
