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Salary comparison

Technical Writers vs. Public Relations Specialists: Who Earns More?

Technical Writerss out-earn Public Relations Specialistss by $16K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Technical Writerss land at $90,390 and Public Relations Specialistss at $74,750. The education gap is real: technical writer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while public relations specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Technical Writerss is New Jersey ($122,320); for Public Relations Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($102,740).

Technical Writers
Public Relations Specialists
Median salary
$90,390
$74,750
Hourly rate
$43.46/hr
$35.94/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$57,440
$44,110
Senior level (90th %)
$145,270
$135,150
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
45,500
283,380
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Arts & Media
Arts & Media
Top-paying state
New Jersey
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Technical Writers median pay.

State
Technical Writers
Public Relations Specialists
New Jersey
$122,320
$80,130
District of Columbia
$117,810
$102,740
Massachusetts
$109,200
$79,660
Washington
$104,070
$87,470
California
$104,000
$85,030
Rhode Island
$102,360
$77,540
Connecticut
$101,870
$84,990
Maryland
$100,990
$79,560
Colorado
$100,610
$80,680
New York
$98,310
$81,250
Virginia
$93,600
$80,380
Delaware
$90,370
$76,120
Nevada
$88,750
$73,840
Illinois
$88,700
$76,380
Oregon
$84,000
$74,900

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Technical Writerss or Public Relations Specialistss?

Technical Writerss earn more nationally. The median is $90,390 for Technical Writerss versus $74,750 for Public Relations Specialistss, a difference of $16K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Technical Writers or Public Relations Specialists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Technical Writers or Public Relations Specialists?

Technical Writers typically requires bachelor's degree. Public Relations Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Technical Writerss get paid the most?

New Jersey is the top-paying state for Technical Writerss at $122,320/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Technical Writers vs. Public Relations Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New Jersey, Technical Writerss earn $122,320 vs. $80,130 for Public Relations Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Technical Writers salary breakdownView →Full Public Relations Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Technical Writerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Public Relations Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a technical writersGuide →How to become a public relations specialistsGuide →