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Job outlook for procedure writers in the United States
Are procedure writer jobs in demand?
Procedure writer job and salary trends over time
Procedure writer jobs over time
Procedure writer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 359 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 369 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 383 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 380 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 377 | 0.00% |
Average procedure writer salary over time
Procedure writer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $70,744 | $34.01 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $69,039 | $33.19 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $68,091 | $32.74 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $67,219 | $32.32 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $66,196 | $31.82 | --0.6% |
Procedure writer jobs by state
Most common states for procedure writers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 199 | 29% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 392 | 5% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 348 | 5% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 321 | 5% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 30 | 5% |
| 6 | New York | 19,849,399 | 739 | 4% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 185 | 4% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 27 | 4% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 24 | 4% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,001 | 3% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 233 | 3% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 215 | 3% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 140 | 3% |
| 14 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 103 | 3% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 56 | 3% |
| 16 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 37 | 3% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 31 | 3% |
| 18 | Delaware | 961,939 | 31 | 3% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 225 | 2% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 75 | 2% |
Most common cities for procedure writers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oak Ridge | 3 | 10% | $61,109 |
| 2 | Deer Park | 1 | 4% | $70,183 |
| 3 | West Des Moines | 1 | 2% | $55,713 |
| 4 | Chandler | 1 | 0% | $80,074 |
| 5 | Charlotte | 1 | 0% | $70,445 |
| 6 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $80,250 |
| 7 | Tampa | 1 | 0% | $64,092 |
Procedure Writer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of procedure writer experts
The University of Findlay
Tusculum University
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Berry College
Kean University
Pennsylvania State University Altoona
University of Rhode Island
California State University, Los Angeles
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Austin Community College
University of Illinois-Chicago
Beloit College
University of Central Arkansas
Metropolitan State University
University of South Florida
Cal Poly
University of Kansas
Bates College
Bucknell University
What will help Procedure Writers increase their earning potential?
Amy Rogan: People working in journalism probably most dislike the hours and the pay but it’s truly one of the most rewarding fields to work in. It can be stressful but also exciting and challenging. Whether at the local level or a larger stage, it’s truly a service to your community to provide vital information.
Vicky Johnson Bós
Associate Professor of EnglishTusculum University
English Language And Literature
What will help Procedure 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.
Natalie Becerra
Career Development SpecialistUniversity of Nebraska - Lincoln
Journalism
What general advice would you give to a Procedure Writer?
Natalie Becerra: Do your research! If you plan to negotiate your salary you need to go in with some research to back up that counteroffer. There are plenty of reliable sites out there to help you determine the market average salary for the type of role you're applying for, while also taking geographic location into consideration. I also encourage students to try and get a rough estimate of their cost of living, especially if they plan to relocate to a larger city, so they can make sure they can make ends meet with the salary they're offered. That research plus evaluating your "value adds" you bring to the role (prestigious education, years of relevant experience, etc.) are all things that you can use to advocate for yourself.
What Procedure Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Natalie Becerra: I think some very important skills that will be important to have are resourcefulness and research skills. Especially in the journalism and media industries everything is very trend driven. That means people need to have better research-backed strategies if they want to see long-term, sustainable success. It will be hard to just rely on clickbait and bandwagoning forever, so people should sharpen their research skills and foster a sense of curiosity and resourcefulness to dig deeper and find information for themselves.
What will help Procedure Writers increase their earning potential?
Natalie Becerra: In general, I encourage new graduates to stay curious. After you graduate it feels like you're standing on the edge of a cliff in a way, like the road has stopped. There are no more set milestones for you unless you set them yourself. A way to combat that existential feeling is to be curious. Some things you can do are 1) figure out who you are as an individual, 2) ask yourself what you truly enjoy doing for fun, 3) try to learn new skills or gain new experiences, and 4) if you're future-oriented or goal-oriented ask yourself what you want to plan for. The biggest adjustment for me after graduation was figuring out what to do outside of work. I had no hobbies and no idea what I liked to do for fun because I was working or studying outside of classes all through college. So do that self-reflection and act on the self-discoveries!
What Procedure Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Julia Wallace: Ask for more money. Too often, graduates - particularly women - are too intimidated to ask for more money. That's a mistake. Do your research. Know the range and ask for slightly more. Explain your value. Don't tell a potential employer you need more money. Instead, tell them why you are worth more. All these steps are important in getting the highest salary possible in the beginning, but it also lets the employer know you're paying attention to how much they pay you.
Whitney Adams
Visiting Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and WritingBerry College
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
What Procedure 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 general advice would you give to a Procedure Writer?
Frank Argote-Freyre: I always tell my students that a good writer never goes hungry. We emphasize writing in History and that is one of the reasons a History degree is valuable. As a corollary to that, research skills are important. The ability to identify sources of additional information that provide nuance to an employer is a valuable asset to bring to the workplace.
What Procedure 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 experience really stands out on Procedure Writer resumes?
Roselyn Costantino Ph.D.: All of us took language classes. Recruiters want to know how you are able to use the language; not how many years you studied or if you majored or minored, but can you sustain an intelligent conversation with a speaker in that language. Practical use, real life. Study abroad highly recommended. However, you need to differentiate between going abroad to party versus expanding your language and cultural skills.
Globalization, even among small farmers, small businesses, and population migrations make speaking a foreign language a substantial advantage in the job market, across fields, throughout the U.S. and abroad. Spanish, in particular, is highly sought after not only for companies/organizations with international business or connections, but also those operating only in the U.S. For decades, and to this day, I receive regular requests from legal, medical, corporate, non-profit organizations for written or in-person translations because they do not have enough people on site with this skill. These are well-paid.
Jobs of the future that we cannot even imagine now will benefit from and require the language and cultural skills that perspective employees can provide. Without sounding crass, and speaking specifically about Spanish, studies have shown that when 2 applicants with similar resumes apply for the same job, with the only difference being ability to speak Spanish, the applicant with Spanish-language skills will get the job the overwhelming majority of times and will be in the position to demand a higher salary, than the one who does not. Just a fact.
What's a good job out of college for Procedure 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.
What's a good job out of college for Procedure 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.
Dr. Anthony Cuda Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Associate HeadUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro
Department of English
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Procedure Writer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Anthony Cuda Ph.D.: Obviously work that can be done remotely is at a premium, and writers in particular will benefit from this. Freelance writers have long worked remotely and on their own schedule. The shift now will involve science writers, technical writers, corporate communications professionals-anyone who knows how to put sentences together with clarity, elegance, and professionalism. So the ability to write well-the way that English majors are trained to-is key to capitalizing on the trends.
Dr. Claudia R. Fernández
Clinical Assistant Professor of Spanish Director, Spanish Basic Language ProgramUniversity of Illinois-Chicago
Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies
How would you rate the starting salaries for Procedure Writers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Claudia R. Fernández: Salaries in these fields are relatively low in education, but they may be higher in the private industry. Businesses like Duolingo or similar, or in commercial publishing (i.e., textbooks) may pay higher salaries, as well as in translation.
It is convenient, at least for majors in languages, to also have a second major such as education, health-related areas, business, computer science, political science, etc. Having knowledge of language and cultures will make them stronger candidates for prospective jobs, that's for sure. Language learning trains the student to deal with "greys" and ambiguities, to make inferences, and to work comfortably, even when not everything is known or totally understood. It builds resilience and confidence.
Jennifer Santos Esperanza Ph.D.
Professor and Co-ChairBeloit College
Department of Anthropology
How do you envision technology impacting Procedure Writers in the next 5 years?
Jennifer Santos Esperanza Ph.D.: I think COVID has definitely impacted technological trends that were on their way to becoming popular anyway -- but the pandemic and social distancing have accelerated its usage. Online shopping, ordering take-out meals to be delivered to homes, conducting meetings through Zoom, or Google Meet are a few examples.
I see technology as largely an ever-evolving set of platforms that merely assist people in what we've always needed: a social connection. Throughout this pandemic, people have found new ways to meet friends and even strangers by playing games online through Twitch, hosting Netflix viewing parties, or meeting through Zoom social gatherings. A really good anthropologist could observe these communities to identify ways that these online platforms still fall short of being an optimal social gathering and recommend ways to make them better. We also need to see what happens to these platforms after the pandemic is over when we resume real, face-to-face interactions. How will Twitch still be useful after COVID? Will college classes and workplaces continue to Zoom after the pandemic as a way of circumventing the use of crowded lecture halls or expensive office building space? The field of anthropology is all about looking at trends in human cultural behavior, so our society's use of technology during and after COVID will definitely need to be tracked to identify what, exactly, those trends are.
Dr. Polly Walter, David Keith, Michael Haddigan, Rob Moritz and Angela Wiser
University of Central Arkansas
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Procedure Writers?
Dr. Polly Walter, David Keith, Michael Haddigan, Rob Moritz and Angela Wiser: Our faculty believes it's best not to take a gap year after college graduation because if an employer has a hiring choice between someone just out of college and someone who graduated a year before who has not worked in journalism, we think he or she would go with the recent grad. If a gap year is taken, we recommend doing something to enhance skills - writing, photography, videography, etc.
Stacy Barton
Assistant ProfessorMetropolitan State University
Department of Journalism & Media Production
How do you envision technology impacting Procedure Writers in the next 5 years?
Stacy Barton: Since journalists are already prominently interfacing with the public through video conferencing, and other means of digital communication, to interview and conduct research, technology is the field, so to speak. I suspect this impact will only continue to grow, especially as technology becomes increasingly more innovative and accessible. To envision now what communications technology will be in 5 years, for me, is difficult; I'm sure I'd shortchange the endless and evolving possibilities.
What type of skills will young Procedure 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 Procedure 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.
How do you envision technology impacting Procedure Writers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Wilma Davidson: Technology will make it easier to communicate remotely, and software programs will continue to evolve, creating a writer's output easy to publish, edit, and reach an audience. The hard part will be keeping up and being knowledgeable about the programs available and used by different companies.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Procedure Writers?
Eileen Buecher: I believe there will be an impact on all of us. Work will look differently as I see some of the creative initiatives higher education and industries have taken to keep people safe and support the economy flowing may be integrated into how we provide services and do our jobs long-term. COVID teaches new graduates how to be resourceful, resilient, and flexible for both individual and uncertain times.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Procedure 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
How do you envision technology impacting Procedure Writers in the next 5 years?
Eileen Buecher: Technology is impacting all career fields. Knowledge of various communication and business platforms, social media, and ways to network online in the future.
Dr. Tara Welch
ProfessorUniversity of Kansas
Department of Humanities - Classics
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Procedure Writers?
Dr. Tara Welch: There will be an enduring impact on everyone, graduates included. Our graduates are facing a slow economy and a transformation in higher education, but Classics and Archaeology majors are well trained for these circumstances. Classics is an interdisciplinary field and teaches us to look at problems and questions from a variety of perspectives, so Classics majors are versatile and adaptable. We also learn in Classics how to make the most of the limited and often incomplete data. Reconstructing a toppled monument or understanding a fragmentary poem involves some sleuthing and a great deal of logic and critical thinking. Our majors read carefully and work carefully - and they don't shy from complex situations.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Procedure Writers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Tara Welch: The qualities I just described are applicable anywhere, anytime, and in any field. For those who wish to work directly in Classics - in teaching Latin or ancient history, for example, or in participating in archaeological digs -an advanced degree (PhD, MA, or MEd) is generally required. Most people who work directly in Classics relocate for their job, but most of our graduates work in other fields - publishing, museums, research and analysis, libraries, education,government, politics, etc. - and can find good opportunities where they are.
How do you envision technology impacting Procedure 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 Procedure 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.
Sarah Bell
Senior Associate Director, CounselingBucknell University
Center for Career Advancement
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Procedure 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.
How do you envision technology impacting Procedure Writers in the next 5 years?
Sarah Bell: As mentioned in #2, English majors go into many fields, and technology is affecting most of them now. We will likely always need creators, editors, and researchers of content, which will certainly make English majors useful in a variety of fields, due to (or in spite of) the technology advances. Experience in learning and utilizing a variety of software, platforms, and social media tools will only enhance their ability to complete their work in an effective and efficient manner in a variety of work settings.