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Job outlook for technical illustrators in the United States
Are technical illustrator jobs in demand?
Technical illustrator job and salary trends over time
Technical illustrator jobs over time
Technical illustrator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,403 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,647 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,837 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,728 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,670 | 0.00% |
Average technical illustrator salary over time
Technical illustrator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $52,828 | $25.40 | +3.5% |
| 2025 | $51,021 | $24.53 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $49,840 | $23.96 | --0.3% |
| 2023 | $49,981 | $24.03 | --2.5% |
| 2022 | $51,263 | $24.65 | +9.3% |
Technical illustrator jobs by state
Most common states for technical illustrators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 925 | 17% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 160 | 17% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 127 | 17% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 109 | 16% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 857 | 15% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 290 | 15% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 119 | 14% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 102 | 14% |
| 9 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,646 | 13% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,325 | 13% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 465 | 13% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,297 | 12% |
| 13 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 358 | 12% |
| 14 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 242 | 12% |
| 15 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,087 | 11% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,445 | 11% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 719 | 11% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 665 | 11% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 350 | 11% |
| 20 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 323 | 11% |
Most common cities for technical illustrators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodridge | 3 | 9% | $46,291 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | 2 | 7% | $51,348 |
| 3 | Broomfield | 1 | 2% | $39,333 |
| 4 | Burbank | 1 | 1% | $50,837 |
| 5 | Duluth | 1 | 1% | $38,377 |
| 6 | Greenville | 1 | 1% | $45,990 |
| 7 | Las Vegas | 1 | 0% | $60,509 |
Technical Illustrator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of technical illustrator experts
Tusculum University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of Cincinnati- Clermont College
Mississippi College
Mississippi College
University of Rhode Island
Angelina College
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Emory University
Albion College
Stonehill College
California State University - Stanislaus
Kansas City Art Institute
Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University
University of California, Santa Barbara
Southern Methodist University
Wayne State University
University of Oklahoma
Saint Xavier University
Oakland University
Vicky Johnson Bós
Associate Professor of EnglishTusculum University
English Language And Literature
What will help Technical Illustrators 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.
Randall Auxier
Professor of Philosophy and Communication StudiesSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
What general advice would you give to a Technical Illustrator?
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 will help Technical Illustrators increase their earning potential?
Randall Auxier: At first it isn't going to be any fun. Writing is something every office needs --and being the person in the workplace who can do that provides a secure niche. You need not start in a job that has writing as one of its main requirements; rather, you take what you can get and then work your way into the writing role --any time something needs to be written, volunteer to do it. Soon you'll have more than you can handle. At this point, look for ways to get your writing seen as yours, newsletter, liaison with the communications office for your workplace, etc. Being known by your co-workers as a writer can lead all kinds of places, although not usually toward management. It's opportunity to write increasingly important things that counts as upward movement.
Dr. Andy Curran
Professor, Area CoordinatorUniversity of Cincinnati- Clermont College
Digital Media Communications
What soft skills should all Technical Illustrators possess?
Dr. Andy Curran: -Creative skills
-Problem solving
-Communication (written & verbal)
-Project management (personnel, budgeting, time, resources)
What hard/technical skills are most important for Technical Illustrators?
Dr. Andy Curran: -File management
-Computer literacy skills
-Software proficiency
What will help Technical Illustrators increase their earning potential?
Benjamin Ivey: Students make it a point to prioritize authentic concept maps within the core curriculum. As information grows, so does their earning potential. Blood alone moves the wheels of history. Most graduating designers will know that the best path forward would be to give a clear channel towards job finding bases.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Illustrators?
Benjamin Ivey: The enduring impact the pandemic will have on recent graduates will be a reliance on teleconferencing and online visual communication. Before coronavirus, we were accustomed to meeting "in person" for classes, interviews, and conferences. We only needed to be online for email, social media, and the occasional video. Now, it's the new norm for all classes and group meetings to have an online component. Employers are expecting to see portfolios and resumes online. Meeting in-person for your first job interview will be outmoded in favor of meeting via FaceTime or Zoom. Since many recent graduates are savvy with this technology, I don't foresee the trend changing anytime soon. People have quickly and readily embraced it.
What type of skills will young Technical Illustrators need?
Benjamin Ivey: Employers want to know that you are a good problem solver. New software, social media platforms, and computers are always coming down the pipe, so younger generations are expected to understand those needs and trends. If you are the kind of employee who can suggest better/faster/cheaper ways of working, then you are a golden investment for any company.
What experience really stands out on Technical Illustrator resumes?
Benjamin Ivey: The best experiences that stand out to me are when students put projects or hobbies to teach themselves a skill. School can only give you so much education. But when students take the initiative to learn something outside of class, they are taking their education. This shows me they are trainable and motivated. If a student says, "I taught myself how to 3D print", "I designed this web app for fun," or even "I like to fix old cars on the weekend, "... these are things that show you are a life-long learner and it often separates you from the crowd. I've heard many success stories from my former students who go for job offers simply because they put one or two personal projects like this into their portfolio and resume.
What's a good job out of college for Technical Illustrators?
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.
Reginald Reynolds
ProfessorAngelina College
Design & Applied Arts/Graphic Arts/Film Production
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Illustrators?
Reginald Reynolds: There is value in working with vectors and bezier curves in Adobe Illustrator. Image editing in Photoshop and film/video editing in Premiere Pro, important. Skill with stills and video, important. We even have a wet-chemistry photography course. There is 3-D printing, biometrics for design and a VR component to the digital imaging courses. All important!
All of the technical courses are presented within the context of art and design. The mantra is, "we do not teach to the tools, we teach to the design problem".
What technical skills for a Technical Illustrator stand out to employers?
Reginald Reynolds: It is certainly no secret that we are living in disruptive times, both wonderful and terrible. The pandemic has accelerated our ability to work remotely. There is no replacement for being on-location, in the lab or classroom; however, this has given students and professors, opportunity to develop virtual skill. Presenting a professional "face" as a designer may be one of the most important skills a student will develop. We will not go back to things as normal, normal was never that good anyway. We are looking forward to new ways of working and interacting within the world as designers at Angelina College.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Technical Illustrators?
John Cinco: The essential requirements are still there-a great portfolio, well-written cover letter, follow-up, and thank yous for the interviewer's time and consideration of the applicant's credentials. An online portfolio appropriate to the employer's brand should be carefully considered.
What soft skills should all Technical Illustrators possess?
John Cinco: Skills in software and design should also be tailored to the capabilities needed by the prospective employer. A capacity for reading into a client's unstated needs and generating innovative and well-thought-out solutions can bode well for an aspiring designer.
Ariel Fristoe
Instructor, Artistic Director of Out of Hand TheaterEmory University
Theater Studies
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Technical Illustrator job market given the pandemic?
Ariel Fristoe: Visual and performing arts organizations are suffering, and after the pandemic, they will need to re-think many of the old ways of doing things, and innovate quickly. They will need to hire new talent to develop socially-relevant programs, and invent new ways to connect to donors and audiences. The arts play a vital role in bringing communities together, in creating empathy for each other and promoting social change, but only if they're catalyzed for these purposes. Otherwise arts organizations risk losing relevance, and by extension, audiences and funding.
What technical skills for a Technical Illustrator stand out to employers?
Ariel Fristoe: Applicants entering the job market in the arts have a real advantage if they have video editing and/or strong social media skills. Basic graphic design skills are also very useful, and employers are also always looking for strong communication and collaboration skills, and excellent writers.
David Abbott
ChairAlbion College
Department of Music
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Illustrators?
David Abbott: Clearly academic challenges of not getting either enough material and/or not being able to receive it as effectively as traditional in class experiencial learning has potentially negative consequences not unlike that of pre-college students although generally to a lesser degree of negative impact. Much virtual teaching can be effective and Albion has utilized this to a great deal as have many other colleges and R1 institutions. We offer combined virtual/ in person "hybrid", as well as all virtual only and all in person teaching both in classes and applied music lessons.
It remains to be seen in the coming post-pandemic years how much of a deleterious effect this pandemic will ultimately have on learning. My personal view is that the effects will vary but overall there will be negative implications across many colleges and universities. Much will depend on the success of testing/tracing which in the case of Albion College where we were very diligent and effective including use of an Aura tracking app required of all students, we were able to isolate and quarantine students suspected of illness, or with positive test results of COVID, safely isolate them for the required time and then they returned to lasses as before. During quarantine/isolation, all Albion students had virtual access to all classes after making arrangements with their individual instructors.
In comparison, I know Hillsdale College not more than 40 miles away, while an outstanding academic institution with enviably high standards, was decimated by the pandemic, simply because the administration chose not to follow science and they had at one point no less 175 positive covid cases, in early November while Albion had an average of only 3-5 on campus. I understood that the virus ravaged their music department and shut down most if not all live instruction. These numbers continued to rise in the next two weeks (Albion had only 11 total cases, all safely in isolation while Hillsdale's numbers exceeded 200 and more), it became difficult for many schools who ultimately chose to send their students home as a precaution to avoiding massive infection. Albion did this with 11 positive cases simply to follow recommended state guidelines. My understanding was Hillsdale hung on for much longer and continued to keep students on campus in spite of these dangerously high numbers of life threatening infections.
I pray their students/faculty ultimately left safe and mostly out of danger by the end of Fall semester and perhaps this was their way of maintaining academic integrity by keeping students on campus. At Albion, we ultimately sent students home only 7 school days earlier than our planned close of classes. We employed a controversial "module" system that essentially compressed 14 week classes into 7 weeks and classes met avg 5 days a week compared to the traditional 2-3x per week. Ultimately faculty/students hated this model and accepted it simply in an effort to keep students on campus for learning rather than keep everyone home in virtual only as many colleges and universities chose to do. We are continuing this module system now in the current Spring semester. We intend to return to traditional classes if at all possible by Fall '21.
What technical skills for a Technical Illustrator stand out to employers?
David Abbott: Skills in technology will primarily be more important than ever as we transition not only into more virtual learning but also even after the pandemic, I think virtual learning will still remain somewhat just as I have little doubt that across education as well as in many business settings, virtual meetings will slowly begin to become the norm. I regret this as I feel it ultimately (llike with the iphone texting, etc.) will contribute to a great social isolation that will ultimately have a pejorative effect on how we learn and interact as individuals.
What experience really stands out on Technical Illustrator resumes?
Matthew Greene: Young theatre artists need to focus on building their post-college credits, and not be overly concerned with unions, agents, etc. I've run an auditioning class for the better part of the past decade, and questions regarding unions and agents are the ones I field the most. Instead, they should pound the pavement and find any and all work they can find to network and bolster their resumes. To see that they are actively pursuing their chosen profession is something I look for when casting a show. This can be demonstrated by credits or by continued training. Show employers that you are serious, motivated and a team-player, and you will receive much more attention. Also, be sure to include names on your resume. In a field such as theatre, WHO you've worked with or studied under can mean the difference between a callback or not.
What type of skills will young Technical Illustrators need?
Matthew Greene: Theatre graduates, in order to work, must be disciplined self-starters first and artists second. They need to get out there (in person or virtually) and be persistent. This fact hasn't changed in the past 100 years, but the means in which to engage, find and create work is transforming in front of our eyes. It is now essential to have an online presence and the ability and resources to produce "self-tapes", the new standard for auditioning. While many aspects of theatre will return as we have known them, I imagine a lot of the job-seeking efforts, primarily auditioning, will continue virtually. This alone makes more opportunities available to more people, and levels the playing field a good deal.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Illustrators?
John Ferry: I believe so - how can we have something this significant happen and not have it affect our lives in a noticeable way. I actually think there are advantages to having this happen . . . If you look for the positives you'll find them . . . if you look for the negatives you'll find them . . . I can't speculate on what that impact will be - but, we'll all be impacted, Professors and Students. At the very least we are all a lot more familiar with how to navigate virtual meetings.
What type of skills will young Technical Illustrators need?
John Ferry: The most important skill is in my opinion, age old - a solid work ethic. . . I recommend reading Steven Pressfild's "Turning Pro", It really provides a lot of insight on how to think like a professional - it even defines professionals in other ways than just collecting payment for your work. Setting a routine is also important - making sure your work gets done and you are continuing to practice and grow your skills. Research publications and art directors that you'd like to work for. . . Also, our graduates won't enter just one cookie cutter workforce. In the past we've had students work at Hallmark Cards Inc. At local advertising agencies like C3 and Sprint. We've had students apprentice and go into tattooing. . . others have gone the gallery/fine art approach. . . a few go on to graduate school. . . as you can see the students will have to tailor their skills towards what interests them creatively.
It's not necessarily experience, but I think it's important to set up a website and be sure they are utilizing social media. . . One frustration I have is that too many students use crazy names on their Instagram media, not their own name. . . it makes them look unprofessional, and makes it harder on them not only to be taken seriously - but confusing on what to call them and where to see their website.
What experience really stands out on Technical Illustrator resumes?
John Ferry: I think for a student that internships really stand out. Showing you've worked for an agency or freelance artist and received payment for this experience. It shows you can work with other people and demonstrate some professional experience. At Kansas City Art Institute, where I teach in the Illustration Department, we require all students to take either an internship or mentorship.
I also think showing published work is important. One internship that used to be available in the past was at The Kansas City Star Newspaper. The students were able to do weekly illustrations featured in their publication. It gave them an excellent opportunity to work with art directors, illustrate a concept and work on their portfolio.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Technical Illustrator job market given the pandemic?
Abby Guido: Work-from-home options, and not just for now. I've noticed many small to midsize design firms opting to forego their brick and mortar locations to embrace forever being virtual. Even some larger companies are making similar announcements.
Risa Brainin
Professor, Artistic Director, LAUNCH PADUniversity of California, Santa Barbara
Department of Theater and Dance
What experience really stands out on Technical Illustrator resumes?
Risa Brainin: Especially in the pandemic, any and ALL experience will stand out on a resume. The fact that we kept creating through this impossibly difficult time speaks well of each and every artist. That kind of commitment and tenacity builds strength of character and skill.
Dr. B. Kathleen Gallagher Ph.D.
Assistant Professor - Arts Management and Arts EntrepreneurshipSouthern Methodist University
Meadows School of the Arts
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Technical Illustrator job market given the pandemic?
Dr. B. Kathleen Gallagher Ph.D.: The creative industries are a broad category and includes for-profit and non-profit organizations. These categories have experienced different effects of the pandemic.
Museums and theaters had to shut down as a result of the pandemic. There were furloughs and layoffs. Some have connected with their audience through online delivery of performances but the experience and pricing structure have been different. All are watching their financial positions carefully.
Given my research on population dynamics of nonprofit arts organizations, we should be particularly concerned about small and new organizations. And these venues are often where recent graduates as well as emerging artists and performers get their first opportunities. So, this will definitely present some additional challenges to job seekers.
In the for-profit industry it's something of a tale of two cities.
Movie theaters and commercial music venues are suffering from the same issues as the non-profits. AMC may file for bankruptcy (Bloomberg).
Simultaneously, many Americans have really relied on entertainment from streaming platforms to adjust to a pandemic lifestyle. Disney+ made headlines in April when they announced more than 50 million paid subscribers (Barrons). But the simultaneous release of movies in theaters and streaming creates a scenario unthought of when contracts with the talent were written that will require significant adaptation (Nytimes).
Individually and organizationally, we have had to adapt to current conditions in order to remain healthy. I think one of the positive lessons is that organizations have been forced to revisit practices and procedures and innovate. Those working in creative and entertainment fields are trained to innovate and think creatively. In 2004, Daniel Pink argued that the MFA (Master of Fine Arts) is the new MBA in the New York Times. Speaking to an audience at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in December 2018, Pink observed:
I think the data and analytics skills have become much more important than they were 13 years ago, but you still have to have those artistic skills," Pink said, adding that the artistic trait of composition was critical all manner of business endeavors. (DardenVirginia)
What Technical Illustrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. B. Kathleen Gallagher Ph.D.: There are a lot of reasons for a gap year. I think it is worth noting that they can be used very strategically to assess the landscape, identify direction, and get experience. Sometimes, people assume that they are supposed to have a carefully developed career path and they don't give themselves the freedom to explore. It's really hard in our society, but I think an article on gap years might actually be a huge benefit. My brother graduated from college in May 2009. He had friends that leapt to law school because they couldn't get jobs and they thought that was a productive direction. They accumulated debt to find out before finishing that they really didn't want to practice law.
How can we not think about the power and importance of data science and data analytics? It's has become so incredibly easy to collect data and enhance performance with evidence-based decision-making. Whether seeking employment in the private, nonprofit, or public sector, data will feature. Employees who are able to collect and analyze data are essential and will provide the support for innovative decisions that will help organizations survive and thrive through this disruption to life as usual, as well as the next one, and the next one. Similarly, being able to identify the critical data points and assess position and determine direction will benefit personal brand management-whether one strives to become a manager or the talent.
Maria Bologna
Wayne State University
What skills stand out on Technical Illustrator resumes?
Maria Bologna: Highly sought after skills that employers are looking for related to interactivity (motion graphics, animation, video editing)
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Technical Illustrators to find work opportunities?
Maria Bologna: There are often overlooked positions available as an in-house designer at various companies (from hospitals and architecture firms to breweries and municipal offices).
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Technical Illustrator job market given the pandemic?
Tess Elliot: We've already seen great investment in technology and digital media in all sectors of the job market and I see this trend continuing.
What Technical Illustrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tess Elliot: An art graduate should always follow their passion and enhance skills they are drawn to. A painter should simply continue painting if that is their passion. Artists often don't fit neatly into a defined career path. Keep making art if you need a gap year, keep working on your portfolio, and reach out to your professors, they will continue to support you.
What general advice would you give to a Technical Illustrator?
Tess Elliot: Stay true to yourself. Be patient and have confidence in yourself and your work. Artists early in their careers often don't make money from their work. This is okay. Find a way to support yourself while continuing to make and share your work and things will fall into place. Seek out that unique path to career fulfillment.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Illustrators?
Cathie Ruggie Saunders: Yes, absolutely. Events of this caliber become imprinted memories that never go away. All a student will have to say is that they are a graduate of 2020, and everyone will know what that means. A collective consciousness of the nightmare kind. But aside from the abrupt goodbyes they were forced to do were the myriad of opportunities lost. So many of Saint Xavier University's graduates are first-generation. Not only were they looking forward to their graduation, but their parents were, since the parents were not able to do it themselves. And on a larger theatre, they are graduating into a world barely recognizable, despite the fact that they have been exposed, in their lifetime, to 9/11, school shootings, drastic climate change, systemic racism and more. Now, a global health crisis that has affected every facet of life as we knew it.
What type of skills will young Technical Illustrators need?
Cathie Ruggie Saunders: Young graduates will need optimism. Belief that they can make a difference in this world. And the determination to try to do so. They are already adept at technology, but they will also need social skills beyond the range of Zoom courtesies. They must find ways to incorporate empathy, understanding, and recognition of the immense value of human touch in their interactions.
What experience really stands out on Technical Illustrator resumes?
Cathie Ruggie Saunders: Experiences that stand out on resumes include ones that challenge the student beyond their known capabilities. Experiences that acquaint them with diverse modes of seeing, thinking, collaborating. Travel opens their perspectives and calls upon them to dig deep within themselves to find solutions to problems they have never encountered before. Internships are the usual, but not the only. In my youth, I spent a summer on an archeological expedition, literally digging up artifacts from previous civilizations and trying to piece together their culture, in hopes of understanding mine better. My daughters spent a summer working at a World Bird Sanctuary, rehabilitating birds of prey and raptors, learning captive breeding, and for educational outreach, carrying 12-foot long snakes for children's viewing on school field trips. It can be anything that you have never done before, or thought you could never do. Because that demonstrates your courage and resilience. And that is needed to succeed.
Carol Anne Ketelsen
Career Consultant for CAS and SONOakland University
School of Nursing, College of Arts and Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Technical Illustrator job market given the pandemic?
Carol Anne Ketelsen: The biggest trend we have seen through the pandemic is of companies reevaluating how they conduct business. In March, employers were cancelling internships and holding off on hiring. Now employers have figured out how to conduct business remotely and that it does not negatively affect workers' performance. Many employers are expected to make a permanent shift to remote work with some expected to hire staffs of 100 percent virtual workers. This trend requires candidates to be nimble, innovative, solution-oriented, and tech savvy.
Another trend is that companies are struggling to find qualified workers. Early on there was job loss, then many of those jobs recovered. Seasoned workers who were laid off are not returning to their positions for a variety of reasons due to the pandemic. This is good news for new graduates and opens up many opportunities.
What Technical Illustrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Carol Anne Ketelsen: A gap year after you graduate can be beneficial if planned and used wisely. During the pandemic we have seen many universities and companies offer training programs, certifications, and micro-internships. If someone was going to take a gap year, they should plan how they will spend their time and how the activities they engage in will enhance their career goals. An employer will ask why they took the time off, what they did, what they learned, and how that applied to their future.
When it comes to skills, the graduate should use the time to expand their knowledge of their career. What skills are critical for this occupation? What skills does the candidate lack? A gap year is a great opportunity to develop those skills through volunteer opportunities, part-time work experiences, internships, travel, and enhanced learning. A graduate will want to explore the possibilities and determine how those will enhance their chosen career. Additionally, a graduate will want to review the technical skills needed for their field. If you choose to take the gap time, you do not want to fall behind when starting your career search.
What general advice would you give to a Technical Illustrator?
Carol Anne Ketelsen: When interviewing for a position remember that you are also interviewing them. As a candidate you need to determine if this company and culture is a fit for you. Although you want that job, be patient, be selective, and be realistic; you don't have to take the very first thing that comes your way. Do your homework on the company, position, and pay. Know your worth, and don't sell yourself short.
Once in the career, be professional. Dress professionally. Talk professionally. Act professionally. Learn the unwritten rules of the organization. Follow the chain of command. Ask the best way to connect with your supervisor. Accept personal responsibility. Share the credit on projects. Collaborate with others, and be a team player. Workplace professionalism is judged by your communication - verbal, nonverbal and written - your image, your competence, and your demeanor.