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Job outlook for medical technical writers in the United States
Are medical technical writer jobs in demand?
Medical technical writer job and salary trends over time
Medical technical writer jobs over time
Medical technical writer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 43 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 44 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 46 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 45 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 45 | 0.00% |
Average medical technical writer salary over time
Medical technical writer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $74,619 | $35.87 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $72,820 | $35.01 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $71,820 | $34.53 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $70,901 | $34.09 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $69,821 | $33.57 | --0.6% |
Medical technical writer jobs by state
Most common states for medical technical writers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 339 | 49% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 309 | 36% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 664 | 35% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,804 | 32% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 290 | 30% |
| 6 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 836 | 29% |
| 7 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 3,281 | 26% |
| 8 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 541 | 26% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,499 | 24% |
| 10 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,419 | 23% |
| 11 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 620 | 21% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 120 | 21% |
| 13 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 612 | 20% |
| 14 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 825 | 19% |
| 15 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 323 | 18% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 126 | 17% |
| 17 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 798 | 16% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 278 | 16% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 117 | 16% |
| 20 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,251 | 15% |
Most common cities for medical technical writers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palmdale | 1 | 1% | $78,279 |
Medical Technical Writer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of medical technical writer experts
Tusculum University
Colorado Mesa University
Berry College
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Kean University
University of Rhode Island
California State University, Los Angeles
Indiana University Northwest
University of South Florida
DePaul University
Cal Poly
University of Kansas
Bates College
Bucknell University
University of Minnesota
University of San Francisco
Southern Utah University
Azusa Pacific University
Independence Community College
Morgan State University
Vicky Johnson Bós
Associate Professor of EnglishTusculum University
English Language And Literature
What will help Medical 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 Medical Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Vicky Johnson Bós: Students should be very familiar with using AI in responsible, informed ways to further their writing and research. Having people-skills will never go unused. Good writing and technological skills will become even more in demand with the growth of new, unexplored job markets.
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD
Associate Professor of EnglishColorado Mesa University
English Language And Literature
What Medical 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.
What will help Medical Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD: Skills that are becoming important and prevalent over the next 3-5 years would include an ability to work with artificial intelligence, an ability to collaborate, and the ability to communicate.
Whitney Adams
Visiting Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and WritingBerry College
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
What general advice would you give to a Medical Technical Writer?
Whitney Adams: An individual entering the writing field may do the following tasks daily:
1. Researching and brainstorming ideas for new articles, stories, or projects
2. Writing and editing content for various platforms, including websites, blogs,
newspapers, magazines, or social media
3. Pitching ideas and articles to editors or clients
4. Conducting interviews with sources for articles or stories
5. Collaborating with other writers, editors, and team members
6. Reviewing and editing drafts of their work
7. Engaging with readers and followers on social media
8. Marketing and promoting their work
9. Attending writing workshops, events, or networking opportunities
10.Keeping up to date with industry trends and news in the writing field
What Medical Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Whitney Adams: 1. Demand for content: With the rise of digital marketing, social media, and online
publications, there is a high demand for content creators and writers. Companies need
quality written content to attract and engage their audience.
2. Remote work opportunities: Writing is a flexible profession that can often be done
remotely. This allows writers to work from anywhere in the world, making it a great
profession for those who value freedom and flexibility.
3. Growth potential: As a writer, there are many opportunities for growth and
advancement. Writers can specialize in different niches, such as copywriting, technical
writing, or content marketing, and can continue to develop their skills and expertise over
time.
4. Passive income potential: Writers can also generate passive income through
avenues such as self-publishing books, creating online courses, or starting a blog. This
allows writers to earn money even when they are not actively working.
5. Creative fulfillment: For many people, writing is a fulfilling and rewarding profession
that allows them to express their creativity and share their ideas with others. Writing can
be a way to inspire, educate, and connect with others on a deeper level.
Overall, writing is a good profession to enter now because of the high demand for
content, remote work opportunities, growth potential, passive income potential, and
creative fulfillment it can provide.
What do people dislike about being a writer?
1. Writer's block: Writer's block is a common challenge that many writers face,
where they struggle to come up with new ideas or find inspiration.
2. Criticism and rejection: Writing can be a vulnerable and subjective art form, and
writers may face criticism or rejection from publishers, readers, or reviewers.
3. Isolation: Writing can be a solitary pursuit, and some writers may find the
isolation challenging.
4. Inconsistency: Writing can often be unpredictable in terms of income and
success, with some writers facing financial
What will help Medical Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Whitney Adams: The day-to-day activities of a writer can vary depending on the type of writing they are
engaged in (e.g., fiction, non-fiction, journalism, technical writing, blogging, copywriting,
etc.). However, some common tasks that writers may engage in daily include:
1. Researching and brainstorming ideas for writing projects
2. Writing and drafting content
3. Editing and revising drafts
4. Collaborating with editors, clients, or other team members
5. Conducting interviews or gathering information for articles or stories
6. Pitching ideas to publications or clients
7. Managing deadlines and keeping track of assignments
8. Promoting their work through social media
9. Networking with other writers, editors, or industry professionals
10.Reading and staying current on industry trends and developments
11.Creating and editing project manuals
12.Creating and editing instructional guides
Randall Auxier
Professor of Philosophy and Communication StudiesSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
What general advice would you give to a Medical Technical Writer?
Randall Auxier: Being the writer in your workplace can be seriously enhanced by the ability to do animation, illustration, graphics, charts, and to create good-looking documents with publishing software (e.g., Indesign). Being only the writer is limiting by comparison. Working with images of all kinds is almost as important as the writing.
What Medical Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Frank Argote-Freyre: It is important to take part in a variety of internships prior to entering the workplace. You need to invest in yourself. Many of these internships might provide no pay or low pay but they are essential to gaining experience. This will allow a candidate to begin their career search with experience in the field. This makes them a more valuable asset to an employer. Language acquisition is also important. US society is diverse so the ability to reach more diverse language communities is a big plus.
What's a good job out of college for Medical 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 Medical Technical Writers?
Kate Kurtin Ph.D.: Yes! Absolutely! We can only assume that the whole world will be affected by this pandemic for years to come. The workforce, for starters, will be tremendously affected. Currently, for example, there are limited service jobs in parts of the country. These are jobs that millions of graduates hold. We also have the highest unemployment rate in modern history. Once the country opens up again and companies begin to hire again, everyone who lost their job in the last year will be competing with recent graduates on the same job market. We saw this after the recession as well.
Speaking more positively, companies are now realizing that their employees can work effectively and efficiently from home. It has been predicted that this will shift many more traditional office jobs to permanent telecommuting. This is great news for graduates because they can broaden their job search.
I am also hopeful that creative industries will getting very busy soon. Personally, I teach in advertising and public relations and those industries will be in high demand.
What's a good job out of college for Medical Technical Writers?
Kate Kurtin Ph.D.: Any job that you are passionate about and brings you joy is a great job out of college. Don't look for a "forever job" after college, look for a job where you can learn and grow and support yourself.
Brian O'Camb Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair in EnglishIndiana University Northwest
English Department
What experience really stands out on Medical Technical Writer resumes?
Brian O'Camb Ph.D.: Honestly, I am not qualified to respond to that question because I don't hire recent graduates, so I don't see resumes from them. However, as a professor, I recommend that all my students get as much writing experience as possible, ideally through an internship, so they can lean on that experience in their job materials.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Technical Writers?
Brian O'Camb Ph.D.: Without a doubt. As employers come to realize that many jobs can be done remotely, I imagine graduates can expect a significant shift in how they connect and collaborate with colleagues in the workplace. And, as industries adapt to non-contact models during the pandemic, there will be space for graduates trained in critical thinking and reading skills to reimagine how various services and suppliers connect with their clients.
What type of skills will young Medical Technical Writers need?
Dr. Wilma Davidson: According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), there are 20 skills listed to increase their value in the workplace. Yearly, NACE surveys employers and ranks these skills and, according to their latest survey, the top five skills new graduates should possess are the following:
Problem-solving
Ability to work on a team
Strong work ethic
Analytic/quantitative skill
Written communication skills
For several decades, the ability to write well has appeared near the top of NACE's list of skills valued by employees. And, I suspect, it will remain among the top for decades to come. Writing, so your ideas and plans are understandable and actionable, is the secret sauce of your workplace success. No matter how good your idea is, if you cannot communicate it easily to another, you won't receive the attention and accolades you deserve.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Medical Technical Writers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Wilma Davidson: All businesses need good writers. You can work remotely as a freelancer or an employee without concern about where your employer is located. Technology makes it easy for an excellent writer to write productively from anywhere. Naturally, if you wish to enter a field like PR or Advertising or Editing/Publishing, you might want to live in a large city where major firms are located. However, right that advice might have been a decade ago, it no longer applies. If you'd like to be a technical writer, there is an advantage to being close to the engineers you may be working with as you write their manuals, but that can be handled-and already is-being handled remotely.
What type of skills will young Medical Technical Writers need?
Ted Anton: They will need to know how to understand and communicate complex information, often contradictory, in a catchy and understandable way. They will have to read professional data online, in business, medicine, health, you name it and then create a sales or summary pitch for investors. So, reading, writing, communication skills will continue to be important. Math, of course, is a big plus, but up to the advanced algebra level... Statistical skills will be helpful. Overall, employers are seeking curious, adventurous, bold, and creative thinkers and communicators for an ever-changing world.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Medical Technical Writers to find work opportunities?
Ted Anton: Well, the big growth in biotech in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Illinois, as well as Minnesota (Mayo Clinic) and Texas (MD Anderson) are hubs of expansion and investment, with Operation Warpspeed and other large scale investments in health and medicine and genetic counseling, etc. The society is aging, and people with patience can be looking, as well, at states like Florida and Arizona, with a high proportion of elderly who need a variety of services.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Medical Technical Writers to find work opportunities?
Eileen Buecher: The majority of our students live and work in California. In addition to CA, the top ten states recruiting Cal Poly English majors by the above-mentioned job functions include: New York, Washington DC, Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Washington, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio
Dr. Tara Welch
ProfessorUniversity of Kansas
Department of Humanities - Classics
How do you envision technology impacting Medical Technical Writers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Tara Welch: Technology has already made the ancient world more available and accessible, and digital resources and research tools enable exciting new work to happen without the need to travel. Teachers are also becoming more effective at leading online and hybrid classes. Those are here to stay. In the present climate of social distancing and digital meetings, however, I see a craving for human interaction - those exchanges that remind us that we are spontaneous, creative, and responsive beings. No matter the technology, Classics (like all of the humanities) will always be about humans.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Technical Writers?
Dr. Daniel Sanford: One of the most interesting changes we've seen since the start of the pandemic is that everyone in higher education has been very quickly acclimated to teaching, learning, and writing using online tools. Graduates are entering a workforce where the same thing has been happening. Coronavirus has shown all of us that we don't need to be in a room together to work and collaborate. This health crisis will recede, but that insight is going to stick around. It's going to be an essential skill for graduates to do good work and to fully participate in workplace cultures, using remote tools.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Medical Technical Writers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Daniel Sanford: What I've seen in college students during this period of intense upheaval is a stronger desire than ever to engage with the world in positive ways. More than ever, the world needs people to work to effect positive change. That happens in fields that are organized around the idea of impacting society and nature in positive ways (e.g., medicine, social advocacy, community organizing, conservation), and those fields are also growing and great places to start a career. But it also happens everywhere, and now more than ever, through writing. The ability to use effective rhetoric (the art of persuasion, built around understanding one's audience) in social media and web writing is incredibly important in engaging with the challenges the world is facing. It's also highly employable!
Sarah Bell
Senior Associate Director, CounselingBucknell University
Center for Career Advancement
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Technical Writers?
Sarah Bell: It is hard to know for certain what the impact will be as the pandemic is a new experience; it is not finished, nor are its effects on the economy and employment. In our experience at Bucknell during the most recent downturns in the economy in 2001 and 2008, we saw that the negative effects on our graduate's job prospects did not endure. The graduates from those particular years have shared with us that the job search took longer than expected, and they needed to be more flexible, but they were able to eventually find work.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Medical Technical Writers to find work opportunities?
Sarah Bell: Majors in English successfully pursue work in all types of industries and career fields. Their skills in writing, critical thinking, verbal communication, analysis, working in groups, editing, and reading/research makes them quite marketable in a variety of occupations. There are some locations that are more known for certain industries, i.e., upper West Coast for technology, NYC metro area for finance, I-95 corridor for pharmaceuticals and biotech, but many corporations hire in locations all over the country. And with the pandemic, more employers have remote opportunities that don't require a move, at least not until the time we might move out of remote work when possible. We tell our students to talk to professionals in the industries in which they are interested to learn what areas are growing right now and what are not. For example, video and sharing software is growing, food manufacturing, shipping, and sales are growing, certain sectors of healthcare and medical research are growing, etc.
What Medical Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Reynolds: Technical writing and communication can span many fields. However, there are specific fields that are especially open to technical communication, such as information technology and computer software (technical documentation, for example), as well as medical and health fields. Many of our graduates work for companies that involve computer technology, such as software companies and content management for web consulting firms. In addition, many of our graduates work in biomedical companies that require technical and global documentation of medical devices.
I can't say that I know of a sure bet, but places that deal with medical technology, healthcare, and related fields are probably going to need people well trained to communicate specialized knowledge to a variety of audiences and in a variety of ways. Telemedicine seems to have gained a more permanent stronghold in the healthcare system, and I imagine that the various communication channels involved in this new way of practicing medicine will open opportunities for well-trained graduates such as ours who are willing to be pioneers in this area.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Technical Writers?
Edith Borbon: I don't think so. The jobs will still be there, whether in-person or otherwise. Much of regular face-to-face teaching and interpreting has transitioned online. These fields will go back to face-to-face modality when conditions become safe once again. Of course, online learning has already been in existence, and so have the phone and video interpreting. And translation can always be done in the office or remotely.
Carlos Bertoglio
Assistant Professor, SpanishSouthern Utah University
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Technical Writers?
Carlos Bertoglio: Every challenge brings opportunities, so I do believe this pandemic has forced us out of our comfort zones and has shown us new opportunities for professional growth and diversification. Those who can take advantage of these strange and confusing times will benefit the most. Another impact of the pandemic that graduate programs and universities in the US might start to see is the decreasing diversity of their students due to travel restrictions, immigration hurdles, and better opportunities in other countries. This will undoubtedly affect the competitiveness of said programs and institutions.
What general advice would you give to a Medical Technical Writer?
Emily Griesinger Ph.D.: I would say "don't give up" because your literacy gifts are especially needed right now. Those who have done excellent critical thinking and writing as English majors can make persuasive arguments and discern the credibility of arguments being consumed by others, who may not be so discerning. Based on years of reading and interpreting great literature, you can "read" characters, why people do what they do, and the capacity to imagine the joys and sorrows of other human beings. So, my general advice would be to consider how to market such skills in creative ways for the common good.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Medical Technical Writers in the next 3-5 years?
Emily Griesinger Ph.D.: You must be able to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of Google Docs and Zoom technology. These two are continually upgrading, so it is mandatory to be flexible, adaptable, and humble. As our population continues to age (the boomers have retired!), we need the current generation to become intentional about sharing what they know, in ways that recognize the physical and mental limitations of age. Be willing to serve others who have been around longer (maybe a lot longer) than you have, not just in the academic world. However, we certainly need you there, but in whatever business you choose--medical, legal, government, non-profit, entertainment, art, music, film, theater.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Technical Writers?
Emily Griesinger Ph.D.: Graduates in the liberal arts and humanities will be challenged to keep the big questions in the foreground as they navigate a post-pandemic world. What matters? Who is my neighbor, and why should I care if he or she is vulnerable to this virus, now or in the future? If there are such things as beauty, goodness, and truth, how do I discern them and share them with others? To what end? Is there a purpose that obliges me to develop moral character, including civility, hospitality, tolerance, freedom of speech, equality, and justice? The coronavirus pandemic makes such questions more urgent. How we answer will surely have an enduring impact on the world.
Bridget Carson
Associate Professor of Developmental EnglishIndependence Community College
History
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Technical Writers?
Bridget Carson: Yes. I think many of the economic markers are false idols that don't indicate the value of life, just when you bought a dishwasher. They may buy one later, but that isn't an indication of success. An enduring impact on this set of graduates, I think, will be in their planning and reaction to disappointment. I hope they embrace uncertainty. I hope they become people who prepare several variations of plans that can achieve the same outcomes by different means. I hope they are people who can mourn unfulfilled expectations and learn to release them like fall leaves, shed to be renewed.
Tristan Abbott Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Writing Center DirectorMorgan State University
English Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Technical Writers?
Tristan Abbott Ph.D.: I would hesitate to venture a guess as to what the next several months will look like, let alone the next several years. Studies have repeatedly shown, however, that people who enter into the job market during economic downturns suffer for the rest of their lives-their pay is lower, their positions are less secure, and this never changes for those particular graduates even as the economy inevitably recovers. We had just started, very belatedly, to overcome the '08 economic crash's adverse effects when COVID hit. There's little sign of any political will to provide relief to workers and small business owners. Things do not look good for any workers right now, especially those just entering the job market.