Career comparison
Technical Writer vs. 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. $76,910), while technical writers usually get to work faster (4 years or technical background plus writing training of training). Technical writers explain complex products and processes in clear, usable documentation. Writers write books, scripts, ads and articles for readers and audiences.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Technical Writer | Writer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $90,390 ($43.46/hr) | $76,910 ($36.98/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $57,440 – $145,270 | $44,310 – $139,870 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.8% (little or no change) | -0.3% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 3,200 | 11,900 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years or technical background plus writing training | Years of practice |
| Key credential | Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) | MFA in creative writing |
| Work setting | Technical writers work in offices or remotely, mostly at computers.. | Writers work at home, in offices and on location.. |
What each job does
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
Writer
- Research topics
- Write drafts
- Revise
- Pitch ideas
- Meet deadlines
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work, working independently, remote-friendly work, and creative work. Both are part of the arts, media & design field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose technical writer if…
- I explain things clearly
- I enjoy learning technology
- I like writing
Choose writer if…
- I love writing
- I’m self-disciplined
- I handle rejection
Still torn? Take the Technical Writer fit quiz and the Writer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, technical writer or writer?
Technical Writers earn more at the median: $90,390 versus $76,910 for writers, 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 writers (Years of practice).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects technical writers to grow +0.8% from 2025–35, compared with -0.3% for writers.