46,400
technical writer jobs in the United States
BLS estimates the occupation employed about 46,400 people in 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsU.S. technical writing reference
Technical Writer Statistics in the United States
Current employment, pay, industry and outlook figures for technical writers, collected in one clear reference.
Last updated September 15, 2026. Employment and pay figures cover 2025. Outlook figures cover 2025 through 2035.
At a glance
Technical writers help turn complex work into information people can use.
The figures below describe the U.S. technical-writer occupation, not all people who write about technical subjects. They are useful context for organizations, writers, students and researchers looking at the field.
39%
work in professional, scientific and technical services
This was the largest employing industry listed by BLS for technical writers in 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics13% + 13%
work in manufacturing or information
Each industry accounted for 13% of technical-writer employment in the BLS industry breakdown.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics8%
work in administrative and support services
Administrative and support services was the fourth-largest employing industry listed by BLS.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics$90,390
median annual pay
The median annual wage for technical writers was $90,390 in May 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics$57,440 to $145,270+
10th-to-90th percentile annual pay range
The lowest 10% earned less than $57,440, while the highest 10% earned more than $145,270 in May 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics$99,280
median pay in administrative and support services
This was the highest median wage among the major employing industries shown in the BLS 2025 table.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics$94,520
median pay in professional, scientific and technical services
The largest employing industry also had a median annual wage above the occupation-wide median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics$95,480
median pay in federal government work
BLS lists this figure for government employment, excluding state and local education and hospitals.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics1%
projected employment growth from 2025 to 2035
BLS projects technical-writer employment to rise from 46,400 to 46,700 jobs over the decade.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics3,200
projected openings each year, on average
BLS expects most openings to come from replacement needs, including workers changing occupations or leaving the labor force.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsBachelor's degree
typical entry-level education
BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical for the occupation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsWhat the figures show
A field centered in technical, scientific and information-rich work.
Professional, scientific and technical services account for the largest share of technical-writer jobs in the BLS industry breakdown. Manufacturing and information each account for another 13%, reflecting the need for clear instructions, product information and specialized communication across different kinds of complex work.
The projected growth rate is modest, but BLS still expects an average of 3,200 openings each year through 2035. That distinction matters: an occupation can have limited net growth while still creating opportunities as experienced workers retire, change careers or move into other roles.
For organizations, the value of technical writing is not limited to one document type. The work can include manuals, online help, procedures, training materials, technical editing and other information that helps people make correct decisions and complete work with confidence.
Explore technical documentation servicesSources and methodology
How to read and cite these statistics.
Every figure on this page comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for Technical Writers, last modified August 27, 2026. The entry uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for pay data and BLS employment projections for the outlook.
Employment, industry share and wage figures reflect 2025 data. Projected growth and annual openings reflect the 2025 to 2035 projection period. BLS wage figures do not include self-employed workers, agricultural workers or private-household workers.
Read the Bureau of Labor Statistics technical-writer profile
Suggested citation
Valerie A. Lipow. “Technical Writer Statistics in the United States.” Updated September 15, 2026. https://valerielipow.com/technical-writing-statistics
Technical writing