lexicographer
Key facts
Do you have a passion for language and a keen eye for detail? As a lexicographer, you'll be at the forefront of documenting and shaping how we communicate, ensuring dictionaries reflect the evolving landscape of language.
Lexicographers are the wordsmiths behind dictionaries and glossaries. Your days involve researching language usage, analyzing new words and phrases, and meticulously crafting definitions. It’s a role that combines linguistic expertise with analytical skills, contributing to a vital resource used by millions.
- • Researching current language use through various sources like books, articles, and online platforms.
- • Evaluating new words and phrases to determine their suitability for inclusion in a dictionary.
- • Writing clear, accurate, and concise definitions for words and phrases.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Legal, social and cultural professionals — 186 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Bulgaria, Denmark, Italy.
Longest-running shortage: Sweden, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could lexicographer fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Future Outlook for lexicographer
The outlook for lexicographer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could lexicographer change as AI adoption grows?
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could lexicographer change as AI adoption grows?
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- follow work schedule
Where AI may become a co-pilot
Limited AI co-pilot overlap right now.
Tasks most exposed to automation
- consult information sources
- search databases
- apply grammar and spelling rules
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Arts, Entertainment, & Design
A typical day as a lexicographer
09 09:00 · Morning follow work schedule
10 10:30 · Mid-morning create definitions
12 12:00 · Midday apply grammar and spelling rules
14 14:00 · Afternoon consult information sources
15 15:30 · Late afternoon search databases
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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search engines
The methods and techniques to navigate search engines and find information quickly.
- copyright legislation
- grammar
- linguistics
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apply grammar and spelling rules
Apply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.
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create definitions
Create clear definitions for words and concepts. Make sure they convey the exact meaning of the words.
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follow work schedule
Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.
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consult information sources
Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.
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search databases
Search for information or people using databases.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how lexicographer aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
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Where does lexicographer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of educational background is typically needed to become a lexicographer?
- A strong foundation in linguistics, English language, or a related field is essential. A bachelor’s degree is generally required, and a master’s degree can significantly enhance your prospects, especially for more specialized lexicographical roles.
- How do lexicographers identify 'new' words to include in a dictionary?
- Lexicographers use a variety of methods, including monitoring media, analyzing online conversations, tracking emerging slang, and observing changes in academic and professional language. Frequency of use and widespread adoption are key factors in determining inclusion.
- Is this a career that typically involves working independently, or as part of a team?
- Lexicographers are primarily employed, often working as part of a team within publishing houses, language technology companies, or academic institutions. While independent research is involved, collaboration with editors and other lexicographers is common.
- Lexicographer — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 14 of the 17 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Czechia, Germany, Spain and 10 more. 3 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Lexicographer — what does it pay in the United States?
- $72,270 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $43,440 to $129,300. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.