Technical Writers
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Also called: Assembly Instructions Writer, Clinical Writer, Com Writer, Contracts Writer, Documentation Writer, Engineering Writer
Median pay
$90,390
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$57,440 – $145,270
People employed
45,500
Holland code
CAI
Conventional · Artistic · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 4.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 5.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Technical Writers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (44 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What technical writers do
- 01Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
- 02Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
- 03Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
- 04Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.
- 05Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail.
- 06Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material.
Skills that matter most
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Communications and Media
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from technical writers
- Document Management Specialists81% · group pay
- Clinical Data Managers76% · group pay
- Web and Digital Interface Designers76% · +15%
- Management Analysts74% · +13%
- Data Scientists73% · +33%
Change into technical writers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers86% · $51,120
- Desktop Publishers75% · $55,290
- Film and Video Editors73% · $75,420
- Social Science Research Assistants73% · $61,990
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists71% · $81,390
Majors that lead here
- Technical and Scientific Communication
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Communication
- Writing, General
- Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
- Business/Corporate Communications, General
- Grantsmanship
- Business/Corporate Communications, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.