Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Technical writers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. In addition, knowledge of or experience with a technical subject, such as science or engineering, is beneficial. PayThe median annual wage for technical writers was $90,390 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of technical writers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 3,200 openings for technical writers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for technical writers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of technical writers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about technical writers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for technical writers was $90,390 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of technical writers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 3,200 openings for technical writers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for technical writers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of technical writers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about technical writers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of technical writers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 3,200 openings for technical writers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for technical writers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of technical writers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about technical writers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Technical writers prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily.
Work Environment
Most technical writers work full time. Although technical writers work in a variety of industries, they are concentrated in the computer and management, scientific, and technical industries.
How to Become a Technical Writer
Technical writers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. In addition, knowledge of or experience with a technical subject, such as science or engineering, is beneficial.
Pay
The median annual wage for technical writers was $90,390 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of technical writers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 3,200 openings for technical writers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for technical writers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of technical writers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about technical writers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most technical writers work full time. Although technical writers work in a variety of industries, they are concentrated in the computer and management, scientific, and technical industries.
How to Become a Technical Writer
Technical writers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. In addition, knowledge of or experience with a technical subject, such as science or engineering, is beneficial.
Pay
The median annual wage for technical writers was $90,390 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of technical writers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 3,200 openings for technical writers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for technical writers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of technical writers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about technical writers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for technical writers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of technical writers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about technical writers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about technical writers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.