Jobs Similar to Technical Writers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to technical writers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Desktop Publishers, Proofreaders and Copy Markers and Statistical Assistants.
Technical Writers: $90,390 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Technical Writers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desktop Publishers | 76% | $55,290−39% | Training or associate |
| 2 | Proofreaders and Copy Markers | 76% | $51,120−43% | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Statistical Assistants | 74% | $50,330−44% | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Electrical and Electronics Drafters | 72% | $76,870−15% | Training or associate |
| 5 | Web and Digital Interface Designers | 72% | $104,000+15% | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Document Management Specialists | 71% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Information Security Analysts | 71% | $129,180+43% | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | 71% | $81,390−10% | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Data Entry Keyers | 70% | $41,340−54% | High school |
| 10 | Medical Transcriptionists | 70% | $40,410−55% | Training or associate |
| 11 | Digital Forensics Analysts | 70% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Statisticians | 70% | $105,650+17% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Correspondence Clerks | 69% | $46,800−48% | High school |
| 14 | Clinical Data Managers | 69% | $120,230Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | 69% | $58,650−35% | High school |
| 16 | Word Processors and Typists | 69% | $49,280−45% | High school |
| 17 | File Clerks | 69% | $43,600−52% | High school |
| 18 | Medical Records Specialists | 69% | $51,140−43% | Training or associate |
| 19 | Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists | 69% | $130,220Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Film and Video Editors | 69% | $75,420−17% | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Desktop Publishers
76% similar · $55,290 (−39%) · Training or associate
- 2Proofreaders and Copy Markers
76% similar · $51,120 (−43%) · Bachelor's degree
- 3Statistical Assistants
74% similar · $50,330 (−44%) · Bachelor's degree
- 4Electrical and Electronics Drafters
72% similar · $76,870 (−15%) · Training or associate
- 5Web and Digital Interface Designers
72% similar · $104,000 (+15%) · Bachelor's degree
- 6Document Management Specialists
71% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 7Information Security Analysts
71% similar · $129,180 (+43%) · Bachelor's degree
- 8Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
71% similar · $81,390 (−10%) · Bachelor's degree
- 9Data Entry Keyers
70% similar · $41,340 (−54%) · High school
- 10Medical Transcriptionists
70% similar · $40,410 (−55%) · Training or associate
- 11Digital Forensics Analysts
70% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 12Statisticians
70% similar · $105,650 (+17%) · Graduate degree
- 13Correspondence Clerks
69% similar · $46,800 (−48%) · High school
- 14Clinical Data Managers
69% similar · $120,230 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 15Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
69% similar · $58,650 (−35%) · High school
- 16Word Processors and Typists
69% similar · $49,280 (−45%) · High school
- 17File Clerks
69% similar · $43,600 (−52%) · High school
- 18Medical Records Specialists
69% similar · $51,140 (−43%) · Training or associate
- 19Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
69% similar · $130,220 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 20Film and Video Editors
69% similar · $75,420 (−17%) · Bachelor's degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than technical writers.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
- Desktop Publishers76% similar · Training or associate
- Electrical and Electronics Drafters72% similar · Training or associate
- Data Entry Keyers70% similar · High school
- Medical Transcriptionists70% similar · Training or associate
- Correspondence Clerks69% similar · High school
- Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers69% similar · High school
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for technical writers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where technical writers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers (86)
- Desktop Publishers (75)
- Film and Video Editors (73)
- Social Science Research Assistants (73)
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (71)
- Digital Forensics Analysts (70)
- Web and Digital Interface Designers (70)
- Commercial and Industrial Designers (65)
- Graphic Designers (65)
- Computer Programmers (64)
Questions about jobs like technical writers
What jobs are most similar to technical writers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Desktop Publishers (76% similar), Proofreaders and Copy Markers (76% similar), Statistical Assistants (74% similar), Electrical and Electronics Drafters (72% similar) and Web and Digital Interface Designers (72% similar).
Which jobs like technical writers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Information Security Analysts ($129,180, +43%; usually a bachelor's degree), Statisticians ($105,650, +17%; usually a graduate degree) and Web and Digital Interface Designers ($104,000, +15%; usually a bachelor's degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with technical writers ($90,390). Without more preparation than technical writers usually need: Information Security Analysts and Web and Digital Interface Designers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.