You operated the Magnetic Tape Selectric Typewriter — IBM's MT/ST — an electric typewriter coupled to magnetic-tape storage that allowed typed text to be saved, edited, and replayed. The early word processor of office practice.
The MT/ST station sat at a desk like a typewriter — but with magnetic-tape cartridges that recorded keystrokes for later editing and playback. Operators typed correspondence, reports, and form letters, used the tape to revise without retyping, and produced final output to specifications. Document throughput and revision turnaround anchored the operating measures.
What surprised people about the work was the editing flexibility the tape made possible — operators could insert, delete, and reorder text in ways that mechanical typewriters couldn't, and the MT/ST became central to legal, government, and large-corporate offices. Industry variance shaped the role: law firms ran heavy MT/ST use for repetitive document production; corporate offices used the machines for executive correspondence; government agencies relied on them for standardized forms.
The seat suited those comfortable with skilled typing and patient with the mechanical tape system — MT/ST operators were often the early word-processing specialists in their organizations. The trade-off was the displacement by dedicated word processors and PCs through the 1980s, with MT/ST operations gradually retiring as Wang, IBM Displaywriter, and later Microsoft Word absorbed the workload.
Remember “your permanent record”?
This time it works for you.
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
Your job belongs to your employer.
Your career belongs to you.
Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths
View all Admin & Office roles →You operated the Magnetic Tape Selectric Typewriter — IBM's MT/ST — an electric typewriter coupled to magnetic-tape storage that allowed typed text to be saved, edited, and replayed. The early word processor of office practice.
Median pay for a Magnetic Tape Typewriter Operator is about $40K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $30K to $57K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Monitoring, Writing, and Time Management.
Most people in this role hold a high school diploma.
Employment in this field is projected to decline about 25.9% through 2034, with roughly 135,280 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Data Collector, Senior Data Collector, and Data Transcriber.
Don't do Truest if you aren't ready
to invest in yourself and your career.