Career comparison
Public Relations Specialist vs. Technical Writer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Technical writers earn more at the median ($90,390 vs. $74,750), while technical writers usually get to work faster (4 years or technical background plus writing training of training). Public relations specialists shape and protect the public image of organizations and people. Technical writers explain complex products and processes in clear, usable documentation.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Public Relations Specialist | Technical Writer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $74,750 ($35.94/hr) | $90,390 ($43.46/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,110 – $135,150 | $57,440 – $145,270 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.8% (slower than average) | +0.8% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 23,000 | 3,200 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years | 4 years or technical background plus writing training |
| Key credential | Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) | Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) |
| Work setting | PR specialists work in offices or remotely, with events and media appearances.. | Technical writers work in offices or remotely, mostly at computers.. |
What each job does
Public Relations Specialist
- Write press releases and statements
- Pitch stories to journalists
- Manage social media and website content
- Prepare spokespeople for interviews
- Plan events and announcements
Technical Writer
- Interview subject matter experts
- Test products and procedures
- Write manuals, guides and help content
- Create API and developer documentation
- Edit and update documents
How they’re similar
Both careers involve creative work, desk work, remote-friendly work, and high-pay. Both are part of the arts, media & design field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose public relations specialist if…
- I love writing
- I enjoy building relationships
- I stay calm in a crisis
Choose technical writer if…
- I explain things clearly
- I enjoy learning technology
- I like writing
Still torn? Take the Public Relations Specialist fit quiz and the Technical Writer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, public relations specialist or technical writer?
Technical Writers earn more at the median: $90,390 versus $74,750 for public relations specialists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Technical Writers typically train faster (4 years or technical background plus writing training) than public relations specialists (4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects public relations specialists to grow +1.8% from 2025–35, compared with +0.8% for technical writers.