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Job outlook for engineering technical writers in the United States
Engineering technical writer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected engineering technical writer job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 3,100 new jobs for engineering technical writers are projected over the next decade.
Engineering technical writer salaries have increased 7% for engineering technical writers in the last 5 years.
There are over 14,377 engineering technical writers currently employed in the United States.
There are 128,393 active engineering technical writer job openings in the US.
The average engineering technical writer salary is $64,966.
Are engineering technical writer jobs in demand?
Engineering technical writer job and salary trends over time
Engineering technical writer jobs over time
Engineering technical writer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,377 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 14,757 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 15,325 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 15,201 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 15,083 | 0.00% |
Average engineering technical writer salary over time
Engineering technical writer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $64,966 | $31.23 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $63,399 | $30.48 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $62,529 | $30.06 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $61,729 | $29.68 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $60,789 | $29.23 | --0.6% |
Engineering technical writer jobs by state
Most common states for engineering technical writers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 415 | 60% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 195 | 34% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 314 | 33% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 240 | 32% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 231 | 31% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,562 | 28% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,493 | 27% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 487 | 25% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 828 | 23% |
| 10 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 198 | 23% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,660 | 21% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 649 | 21% |
| 13 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 604 | 21% |
| 14 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 276 | 21% |
| 15 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,396 | 20% |
| 16 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 415 | 20% |
| 17 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,965 | 19% |
| 18 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,247 | 19% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,102 | 19% |
| 20 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,071 | 18% |
Most common cities for engineering technical writers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fridley | 1 | 4% | $62,456 |
| 2 | Downers Grove | 1 | 2% | $60,367 |
| 3 | East Hartford | 1 | 2% | $65,041 |
| 4 | Carlsbad | 1 | 1% | $69,146 |
| 5 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $58,393 |
| 6 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $58,211 |
| 7 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $47,578 |
| 8 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $74,214 |
| 9 | Riverside | 1 | 0% | $69,435 |
| 10 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $77,746 |
Engineering Technical Writer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of engineering technical writer experts
Tusculum University
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Colorado Mesa University
Fairfield University
Xavier University
University of Rhode Island
Ohio Northern University
East Tennessee State University
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Liberty University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Northern Michigan University
Villanova University
Elon University
Merrimack College
Marietta College
University of Maryland
University of Baltimore
Crafton Tull
Lake Superior State University
Vicky Johnson Bós
Associate Professor of EnglishTusculum University
English Language And Literature
What will help Engineering Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Vicky Johnson Bós: Have practical experience in that field through a summer job, internship, or access to expertise. Getting a Master's Degree or even a PhD can greatly influence salary potential. Be aware that you may have to take a 'starting' job at less of a good salary to get practical experience to make the leap to a better paying job.
What Engineering Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Todd Allen: - analyzing systems, including technical and social implications, of engineering solutions
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD
Associate Professor of EnglishColorado Mesa University
English Language And Literature
What Engineering Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD: In terms of general advice, students just entering the career field after graduating should apply far and wide. In other words, I would suggest that students not limit themselves because they might be surprised where they can land a job. With that said, they should still tailor their application materials for the job that they want, instead of just sending out the same materials again/again.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engineering Technical Writers?
Dr. Harvey Hoffman: At least shortly, the pandemic will impact us all. Clear communication with our managers, co-workers, and clients will remain vital, especially as we may not be meeting with each other in person. Documenting project details, actions discussed, and following up to close the circle so to speak will go a long way to maintain clear communication. While this should have taken place before this pandemic, it is more important than ever, now. Being flexible, helping when needed, and being proactive when you see something that needs to be done will contribute to a better work environment.
Keeping abreast of new products and processes within the field and continuing to learn new technologies. This will allow workers more agility to change careers and transition into new roles or industries, if need be.
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer
Professor and ChairXavier University
Department Of Physics
What skills stand out on Engineering Technical Writer resumes?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Programming languages, numerical design and simulation tools, knowledge of various measurement equipment.
What soft skills should all Engineering Technical Writers possess?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Communication, teamwork.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Engineering Technical Writers?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Depends on the engineering career, but in general, an ability to know how to use design software, measurement/testing, and analysis equipment, in addition to prototyping and fabrication tools
What skills will help Engineering Technical Writers earn the most?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Problem-solving, troubleshooting, independent learner.
What's a good job out of college for Engineering Technical Writers?
John Pantalone: At this point, at the risk of being sarcastic, any job is a good job. The real answer is that it depends on the field you plan to go into and what you consider a good job. A livable wage with reasonable benefits is part of the equation; the other part is whether you genuinely enjoy the work.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engineering Technical Writers?
Shane Tilton Ph.D.: I have argued that the pandemic has dropkicked society, culture, and daily activities fifty years into the future. We are doing more decentralized work virtually from home. The journalism industry seems to have felt the boot prints of that dropkick as much as any industry. One of the continuous influences of COVID-19 post-pandemic appears to be the "home studio model" for broadcasters and journalism organizations. I would point to the "Room Raters" Twitter account as evidence for this claim. It seems that people are more comfortable with reporting from home. Journalism graduates are now presenting news stories in a quasi-informal manner. The general public seems to be okay seeing journalists in more business casual clothing than the power suit.
It has also fundamentally changed the functional roles of journalists. Contributors and correspondents show off their credibility by displaying the books they wrote on the shelves behind them or the visual artifacts of their subject of expertise. Anchors have a screen behind them, highlighting the story with some visuals. Citizen journalists are finding more accessible access to essential sources via Zoom or Skype. Reporters are framing their interviews via those services as well.
Jared Wilson
Assistant Professor and Faculty CoordinatorEast Tennessee State University
Surveying and Mapping
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engineering Technical Writers?
Jared Wilson: The information I have been provided is positive when the outlook is concerning the workload that is being performed by the professional industry. Land surveying, and subsequently, land surveyors, have been deemed essential; thus, work is still being performed. The profession, as a whole, is driven highly by the status of the economy, and in the current economic state, the current workload is in demand. Thus, graduates should be able to find gainful employment regardless of the impact COVID-19 has. As with all professions, adaptation is necessary, and the profession is adapting well.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Engineering Technical Writers to find work opportunities?
Jared Wilson: Within the field of land surveying and related employment opportunities, work is available. However, in my experience, work may not be in the exact location a person wishes to live. So, a move may be necessary, or potentially traveling to where the work is located. Should a graduate, or person for that matter, want to work, work is available.
Dr. Sohrab Asgarpoor
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Professor of Electrical and Computer EngineeringUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln
College of Engineering
How do you envision technology impacting Engineering Technical Writers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Sohrab Asgarpoor: Adopting new technology should be an exciting (and expected) reality for those with an engineering degree. The virtual space will continue to grow as folks seek jobs and work online more. But what holds paramount, no matter what particular technological changes arise, is the ability to adapt-and to demonstrate that critical aptitude in their application documents and through their interviews, always highlighting those moments they've done so and articulating their propensity for learning.
What experience really stands out on Engineering Technical Writer resumes?
Robert Rich: -Certification such as green belt, black-belt, machine learning, Lean Manufacturing, and APICS supply chain/inventory
-Specialized undergraduate research projects that go deep into various leading-edge topics like integrating AI with manufacturing and logistics
-Consulting experience/real projects within areas of undergraduate research
Dr. Galen Duree
Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and ProfessorRose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Department of Physics and Optical Engineering
What experience really stands out on Engineering Technical Writer resumes?
Dr. Galen Duree: It depends on what you are applying for. If you are working on product development, then internships or co-ops provide a definite advantage. If you are working on developing new ways of doing things, research experiences in academia or companies are advantageous. Either case, this shows a certain maturity in your career path - you have participated in an activity related to the career you are currently pursuing.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Engineering Technical Writers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Galen Duree: People with knowledge, even introductory experience, in quantum effects, quantum computing, optics in general (communication, measurements, imaging, illumination, detection), material science and engineering, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, will be in high demand.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engineering Technical Writers?
Michael Rudisill: It depends on what you really mean by enduring, but for all practical purposes, once the pandemic has passed, the economy will return, and anyone in the engineering field who wants a job will have many opportunities. Obviously, the short-term effect can be brutal for new graduates as jobs are not as plentiful as "usual"-but in the long term, those that persevere will end up in great careers. In some ways, it will be harder on the senior engineers who haven't stayed employed, as they are missing out on years when their income should be the highest. New graduates are missing relatively low earning years, so the long-term effects should not be as bad looking at lifetime earnings.
How do you envision technology impacting Engineering Technical Writers in the next 5 years?
Michael Rudisill: Technology will continue to advance-which will increase the need for trained engineers. Even areas such as sales that not many people would think would be looking for engineers when dealing with technologically advanced products need people who understand how the product works, perform, etc.-in other words-trained engineers.
What general advice would you give to an Engineering Technical Writer?
Michael Rudisill: Patience will be a key - there will be many jobs available - we have been contacted by several employers looking for grads. Still, it certainly is not like we have seen historically. As the economy comes out of the COVID recession, engineering jobs will come back very quickly. By the spring graduation, I think we will be pretty close to back to a somewhat familiar employment picture.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Engineering Technical Writers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Michael Rudisill: From what we've seen, salaries haven't been reduced, even though demand is down. I would expect wages and salary progression to remain strong as the need for engineering will only continue to grow.
Dr. Sridhar Santhanam Ph.D.
Professor and ChairVillanova University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Engineering Technical Writers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Sridhar Santhanam Ph.D.: Mechanical engineering is a vast and diverse field. There are several trends in technologies that are driving changes that will impact the short term. Automation is and will continue to be a significant force in many mechanical engineering industries. This is particularly true in manufacturing, where robots and digital manufacturing make substantial gains in productivity possible. Additive manufacturing will continue to transition from being a prototyping tool to an established manufacturing method for many critical products. The use of machine learning and artificial intelligence will become more prevalent in all sub-disciplines of mechanical engineering as engineers seek to take advantage of big data and sophisticated algorithms to optimize processes. Sustainability will be a dominant theme in the future and impact manufacturing, energy production, and modes of transportation.
What type of skills will young Engineering Technical Writers need?
John Ring: While our universities consistently educate engineering students with hard skills and strong engineering fundamentals, tomorrow's engineers need to be strong communicators, collaborators, and critical thinkers. Our professional environments are filled with data and information, and the constraint is typically how much time individuals can dedicate to solving a problem. At Elon University, we educate tomorrow's engineers to have the hard skills necessary to analyze the information and situations, apply critical thinking techniques to determine ways to solve the issue, and then concisely and efficiently communicate with colleagues as solutions are being set in motion.
How do you envision technology impacting Engineering Technical Writers in the next 5 years?
John Ring: An engineering student learns "how to learn" during their time in college. Technology will evolve, and tomorrow's engineers must learn at the same pace so that new technology can be applied to solve a problem.
Rickey Caldwell Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Mechanical EngineeringMerrimack College
Departmet of Mechanical Engineering
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engineering Technical Writers?
Rickey Caldwell Ph.D.: In terms of job opportunities, no. It may take longer to secure that first job, and it may be an employer's job market for the next several years. This means starting salaries may not be as high as a year ago, and yearly raises may be near zero up to 3% (depending on career fields and markets). Additionally, some benefits, such as tuition reimbursement, may not be available at some companies.
However, I strongly suspect that things will get better (as a wild guess) in 3 - 5 years as the economy rebounds. For the immediate future, the full economic effects of the pandemic have not been fully realized. As companies restructure to deal with their impact on their bottom lines and workers are laid-off, more experienced employees are entering the job marking and seeking jobs. This is very similar to the financial system crash around 2008, so that could be referenced for a similar environment, especially its effect on the Midwest. Job seekers must be persistent.
For enduring changes, the pandemic has presented a great opportunity to change the nature of where we do work. This experiment has been tried before at places like Yahoo, for example. Pre-pandemic, some companies allowed workers to work from home several times per month under flexible scheduling. I believe the coronavirus pandemic will make these types of work options a larger part of the business workplace culture. Additionally, many companies are actively working to enhance their diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. With this renewed attention, there may be more opportunities for workers that are women, BIPOC, LBGQT+, and others to rewrite and form new workplace norms to have new working environments. I strongly encourage people to take their seats at this table and create the world you wish to work in.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engineering Technical Writers?
Ben Ebenhack: I believe that the impact of the pandemic on the US economy is still unfolding and that we won't be able to see any kind of robust turnaround until vaccines are widely available and seen, in practice, to be effective. Until that time, I suspect that we'll continue to see a lot of volatility as investors speculate about recovery, reopening, etc., but the trends will probably vacillate.
Once the pandemic is clearly seen to be reasonably well-controlled, I think that there will be a good deal of pent-up demand for energy and its services. I expect to see a modest recovery in energy prices, but that may not translate to jobs for a few years. Ultimately, the world's need for energy will drive prices up, and there will probably be another boom. Everyone should remember that half of humanity (~3.5 billion people) lack access to modern energy, on which development depends. With global economic recovery, I would expect that to apply considerable upward pressure on energy (and related resource) demands for the next several decades. Alternative energy will continue to grow, but I don't think it can grow as fast as some optimists expect.
How do you envision technology impacting Engineering Technical Writers in the next 5 years?
Ben Ebenhack: Technology radically transformed American oil and gas production a little over ten years ago, by opening up the shale plays. That will continue to evolve and remain important in the medium term, I think. We may see some of the technological developments opening new opportunities in geothermal power production.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engineering Technical Writers?
Craig Carignan: Yes, it will have an enduring impact on aerospace grads, especially those going into aeronautical engineering. The airline industry has been hit especially hard by the pandemic, and commercial aircraft manufacture has come to a screeching halt. That means not just the airplane manufacturers being affected but all of the hundreds of aircraft parts suppliers too. The other factor is that people are learning how to attend conferences and meetings virtually, through applications like Zoom and Teams, which also saves a lot of money on travel. So even when things do start returning to normal, I think that the demand for air travel will not return to the same levels as before.
Some long term impact may also be felt by the space industry. Even though there are quarantine precautions in place (before and after a flight), human space flight might be seen as riskier due to possible infection from viruses that may not show symptoms. So we might try to do more from the ground using robotics. Also, the density of workers in a lot of places in the aerospace industry is very high, and I would expect telecommuting to become more common.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engineering Technical Writers?
Dr. Giovanni Vincenti: COVID-19 put into perspective the importance of technology for everyone. Those people who would typically work in fully staffed offices and took IT systems for granted have now realized how the lack of dedicated personnel and resources is a significant issue as everyone is working from home. The same realization has also reached upper-management, often creating a nearly immediate need for innovation that would have otherwise remained just a plan for the future. Graduates in the IT field and technology, in general, will benefit from this realization, as projects move from the planning stage into implementation and eventually maintenance. This increment in reliance on IT-related resources will create a greater need for employment.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Engineering Technical Writers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Giovanni Vincenti: Cities that are typically associated with technology will probably remain hubs of innovation, especially if they have local administrations that are favorable towards entrepreneurship. However, the recent need for companies to leverage the ability to work remotely has opened up the possibilities of workers who may not otherwise be willing to relocate. This trend is probably here to stay for a while, so the ability of graduates to work with virtual collaborators will bring tech jobs to parts of the country that are not typically known for innovation. Even though there probably will not be clusters that will identify new equivalents of Silicon Valley out of nowhere, the fact that the reach of potential employees has extended beyond their geographical immediacy will create major opportunities for any location.
How do you envision technology impacting Engineering Technical Writers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Giovanni Vincenti: Technology will take an ever more prominent role in any field over the next few years. However, it is important for companies to realize that someone who is somewhat familiar with IT probably will not have the same expertise as a trained technologist. Whether we are creating mobile applications, finding new ways to deliver physical products, or ways to facilitate the workflow when people are working remotely, technology will remain the unifying foundation across most fields and gain significant importance in the list of essential assets for operations continuity.
What general advice would you give to an Engineering Technical Writer?
Libby Toping: It has definitely been a unique time to start my first job. COVID-19 has caused many of my peers to struggle to find a job, so I think it has caused me to recognize how thankful I am to have a job that I enjoy working and that allows me to improve my community, even in the midst of a pandemic. There are certainly struggles with virtual meetings and mask-wearing, but learning to be flexible and adaptable are skills that I think will make me a better engineer in the long run!
Edoardo Sarda Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Robotics EngineeringLake Superior State University
Mechanical Engineering
What general advice would you give to an Engineering Technical Writer?
Edoardo Sarda Ph.D.: Flexibility has become a key asset for new graduates, due to the current COVID19 pandemic. Fortunately, engineers are still in high demand. Even fresh graduates may need to seek opportunities and accept positions working in areas that were not exactly what they had in mind while in college. Besides, the pandemic has created a reality where specific industries are struggling while others are booming. That will undoubtedly impact the demand for new engineers. Lastly, since the United States took a non-uniform approach to fight the pandemic, where every state is independently deciding how to reopen, leading to some states being stricter than others, in addition to new epicenters forming in different areas of the country at different times, new grads may not necessarily end up in the geographical location they may have originally planned.