Public Affairs & Communications
Technical Writer
Salary, job outlook, education and requirements
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Also called: Com Writer · Engineering Writer · Global Technical Writer · Grant Writer · Medical Writer · Narrative Writer · Principal Technical Writer · Requirements Analyst
O*NET-SOC 27-3042.00 (Technical Writers)
Technical Writer salary
Wages for technical writers across all employers, 2025 data. The 10th percentile is typical entry-level pay; the 90th percentile reflects the most experienced and highest-paid workers.
National median hourly wage: $43.46.
Technical Writer pay by state
Ten largest states by population, annual wages.
| State | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $69,630 | $104,000 | $175,510 |
| Texas | $50,590 | $82,750 | $127,920 |
| Florida | $59,520 | $86,240 | $132,380 |
| New York | $53,560 | $98,310 | $152,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,220 | $87,620 | $158,180 |
| Illinois | $58,800 | $88,700 | $130,890 |
| Ohio | $48,970 | $76,480 | $125,150 |
| Georgia | $57,970 | $73,070 | $122,290 |
| North Carolina | $53,790 | $86,320 | $139,950 |
| Michigan | $57,600 | $85,270 | $127,070 |
Technical Writer job outlook
- Employment is projected to go from 46,400 jobs in 2025 to 46,700 in 2035 (1% change).
- About 3,200 openings are projected each year, including jobs that open up as workers retire or change occupations.
- CareerOneStop outlook rating: Below Average.
How to become a technical writer
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years work experience
- On-the-job training
- Less than 1 month on-the-job training
Education level of current workers
- Less than high school diploma.8%
- High school diploma or equivalent3.9%
- Some college, no degree10.3%
- Associate's degree4.6%
- Bachelor's degree47.8%
- Master's degree22.1%
- Doctoral or professional degree10.5%
Related training programs
- Business/Corporate Communications, General
- Business/Corporate Communications, Other
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Communication
- Grantsmanship
- Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
- Technical and Scientific Communication
- Writing, General
What does a technical writer do?
Common tasks
- Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
- Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
- Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
- Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.
- Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail.
- Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material.
- Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding.
- Develop or maintain online help documentation.
- Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
- Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication.
Most important skills
- Writing
- Writing things for co-workers or customers.
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading work-related information.
- Active Listening
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
- Speaking
- Talking to others.
- Critical Thinking
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
- Active Learning
- Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
- Time Management
- Managing your time and the time of other people.
Technical Writer certifications
The certifications CareerOneStop maps to this occupation. Requirements vary by employer and state.
- National Resume Writers Association · Advanced
- International Society for Medical Publication Professionals · Specialty
- Grant Professional Certification Institute · Advanced
Technical Writer jobs
Current federal openings from USAJOBS. For more public affairs & communications jobs, including private-sector listings, see the Public Affairs & Communications jobs hub.
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM.
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This page includes information from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Source: CareerOneStop occupation profile for Technical Writers. Wages are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program; projections are national long-term projections.