Technical Writers
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
BLS SOC 27-3042 · O*NET-SOC 27-3042.00 · BLS 2025–2035 · O*NET 31.0
Median annual wage, 2025
$90,390
Projected change, 2025–2035
0.8%
2025–2035 annual average openings
3,200
AI exposure
Very high
Editorial analysis
Documentation can be generated from the product itself
Technical writers work in a field where AI can be unusually useful. Software can summarize specifications, explain source code, convert engineering notes into draft instructions, produce examples, rewrite documentation for different skill levels, and help keep terminology consistent across large sets of material.
The future manual may update itself, almost
Documentation systems may increasingly detect product changes and propose corresponding updates automatically. An API change could trigger a draft revision. A support pattern could suggest that an explanation is confusing. An AI assistant could answer user questions by drawing directly from approved documentation.
That does not eliminate the need for technical writers. It changes the job from manually producing every sentence toward building trustworthy information systems.
- First drafts and routine updates can become much faster.
- Information architecture and source-of-truth management become more important.
- Writers will need to prevent generated documentation from quietly introducing incorrect technical details.
- Interviewing engineers and understanding the user's real problem remain valuable skills.
Labor-market picture
Two measures, different questions
These measures offer two different ways to understand the occupation: BLS projections show how national employment may change over time, while relative AI exposure highlights where tasks may intersect with AI-related capabilities. Read them with the work profile and your local context to decide what deserves closer investigation.
Employment
- Employment, 2025
- 46,400 jobs
- Projected employment, 2035
- 46,700 jobs
- Projected change, 2025–2035
- 400 jobs (0.8%)
Relative AI exposure
BLS category: Very high. This is a relative task-exposure classification, not a forecast of employment change, automation, wages, or worker replacement.
Relative AI exposure · Very high
Work profile
Representative tasks
These task statements come from O*NET 31.0. They are source facts, not labels assigned by the AI exposure measure.
- 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.
- Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding.
- Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
Skills that matter
Skills in the source profile
Importance uses O*NET's 1–5 scale. Level uses its 0–7 scale. Select a skill to see its source definition and reported values.
Technology and tools
These technology records come from O*NET and show software or tools reported in the occupation profile. They describe work context, not a required checklist for every employer.
- Document management software
- Computer based training software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Web page creation and editing software
- Desktop publishing software
- Graphical user interface development software
- Video creation and editing software
- Project management software
Preparation
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
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Source provenance
Labor-market and exposure facts: bls-ep-2025-35. Work profile: onet-31.0. Verify release details on the Sources page.