Technical Writers
Machines can already do 67% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 90%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Technical Writers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 67% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 47% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 90% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 45,500 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $90,390 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 65% for contact with people.
- Also called: Com Writer, Engineering Writer, Global Technical Writer, Grant Writer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology | 29% | 78% to 97% | |
| Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel | 9% | 76% to 96% | |
| Develop or maintain online help documentation | 9% | 70% to 95% | |
| Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods | 9% | 55% to 85% | |
| Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail | 7% | 55% to 85% | |
| Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material | 5% | 85% to 97% | |
| Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication | 5% | 30% to 60% | |
| Maintain records and files of work and revisions | 4% | 70% to 95% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills technical writers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers86% of tasks by 2035 · US median $76,910
- Intelligence Analysts73% of tasks by 2035 · US median $93,790
- Web Administrators78% of tasks by 2035 · US median $116,580
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants79% of tasks by 2035 · US median $76,590
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Technical Writers?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of technical writers?
Machines can do 67% of the tasks of technical writers today and 90% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 27-3042.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Technical Writers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/technical-writers/