NOC 2021 · 51112 · TEER 1
NOC 51112: Technical writers
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Technical writers write manuals and specifications for publication or presentation. They are employed by governments, large corporations, private consulting firms, publishing firms, and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.
TEER
TEER 1
Usually needs a university degree
Median wage (Canada)
$36.06 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 3
+20 CRS for Canadian work, or 50 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 51112 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: not eligibleNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 51112 is in tier 3 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +20 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 50 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 51112 is not on any of IRCC's 2026 occupation categories. You can still be invited through general, program-specific or French-language draws.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Analyze material, such as specifications, notes and drawings
- Conduct interviews and research to gather information on a specific field
- Write, review and update manuals, user guides and other documents to provide instruction and to explain clearly and concisely the installation, operation and maintenance of software and electronic, mechanical and other equipment
- Develop and maintain help documentation
- May design and develop training course material
- May help create content for software products, such as on-screen instructions and error messages.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- medical writer
- scientific writer
- technical writer
All 19 job titles in NOC 51112
- content writer (technical)
- handbook writer
- help file developer
- instructional designer
- manual writer
- medical writer
- on-line reference developer
- programmed-instruction writer
- proposal writer
- scientific writer
- self-instruction manual writer
- specifications writer (except construction)
- standards writer
- support materials writer
- technical writer
- technical writer - aeronautics
- technical writer - chemical processing
- technical writer - electronics equipment
- technical writer - pharmaceutical industry
Requirements
Employment requirements
- A university degree in the area of specialization, such as computer science or engineering is usually required.
Wages
Wages for NOC 51112 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $27.00 | $36.06 | $53.37 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $29.70 | $39.82 | $54.52 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $23.95 | $36.30 | $49.48 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| New Brunswick | $28.05 | $37.02 | $51.28 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Quebec | $31.19 | $41.54 | $48.72 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $27.00 | $34.98 | $59.63 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $27.08 | $40.17 | $56.61 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $26.21 | $37.15 | $50.16 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Alberta | $30.00 | $36.00 | $47.80 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| British Columbia | $28.85 | $43.27 | $57.69 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank's 3-year employment outlook for this occupation, by province and territory.
ModerateNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for technical writers (NOC 51112) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about technical writers in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Technical writers mainly work in the following sectors:
Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 40%
Other schools and instruction (NAICS 6115-6117): 15%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 12%
Universities (NAICS 6113): 11%
Computer and Electrical Manufacturing (NAICS 334-335): 9%
63% of technical writers work all year, while 37% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
13% of technical writers are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 36% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 64% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 7% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 24% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 51% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 15% compared to 10% for all occupations
ModerateSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Moderate for technical writers (NOC 51112) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about technical writers in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Technical writers mainly work in the following sectors:
Community colleges and C.E.G.E.P.s (NAICS 6112): 16%
Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 16%
Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 16%
Universities (NAICS 6113): 14%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 13%
88% of technical writers work all year, while 12% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
11% of technical writers are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 42% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 57% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 25% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 35% compared to 18% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 30% compared to 7% for all occupations
LimitedQuebec
The employment outlook will be Limited for technical writers (NOC 51112) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about technical writers in Quebec:
Approximately 1,550 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Technical writers mainly work in the following sectors:
Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 23%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 10%
Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 9%
Transportation equipment manufacturing (NAICS 336): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 91% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 9% compared to 18% for all occupations
70% of technical writers work all year, while 30% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
13% of technical writers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 43% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 56% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 17% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 37% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 40% compared to 11% for all occupations
LimitedManitoba
The employment outlook will be Limited for technical writers (NOC 51112) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of a few positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about technical writers in Manitoba:
Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Technical writers mainly work in the following sectors:
Insurance Carriers and related activities (NAICS 524, 526): 28%
Other schools and instruction (NAICS 6115-6117): 24%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 23%
Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 10%
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 7%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 94% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 6% compared to 19% for all occupations
84% of technical writers work all year, while 16% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 32% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 68% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 5% compared to 31% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 26% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 50% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 13% compared to 8% for all occupations
LimitedAlberta
The employment outlook will be Limited for technical writers (NOC 51112) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about technical writers in Alberta:
Approximately 850 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Technical writers mainly work in the following sectors:
Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 17%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 16%
Universities (NAICS 6113): 7%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 6%
Construction (NAICS 23): 6%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 82% compared to 80% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 18% compared to 20% for all occupations
65% of technical writers work all year, while 35% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
18% of technical writers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 28% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 71% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 10% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 44% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 30% compared to 9% for all occupations
LimitedBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Limited for technical writers (NOC 51112) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about technical writers in British Columbia:
Approximately 1,200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Technical writers mainly work in the following sectors:
Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 22%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 13%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 9%
Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 6%
Computer, electronic and electrical product manufacturing (NAICS 334-335): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 81% compared to 78% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 19% compared to 22% for all occupations
67% of technical writers work all year, while 33% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
23% of technical writers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 33% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 67% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 9% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 43% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 33% compared to 12% for all occupations
Very limitedOntario
The employment outlook will be Very limited for technical writers (NOC 51112) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about technical writers in Ontario:
Approximately 3,850 people work in this occupation.
Technical writers mainly work in the following sectors:
Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 25%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 8%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 7%
Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 91% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 9% compared to 19% for all occupations
73% of technical writers work all year, while 27% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
13% of technical writers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 41% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 59% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 8% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 43% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 33% compared to 13% for all occupations
UndeterminedNewfoundland and Labrador
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedPrince Edward Island
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNew Brunswick
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNorthwest Territories
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 51112 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
- 51111 Authors and writers (except technical)
- 51110 Editors
- 51113 Journalists
- 51121 Conductors, composers and arrangers
- 51114 Translators, terminologists and interpreters
Same occupation group
Writing, translating and related communications professionals
- 51110 Editors
- 51111 Authors and writers (except technical)
- 51113 Journalists
- 51114 Translators, terminologists and interpreters
Questions
NOC 51112: common questions
What is the NOC code for technical writers?
What TEER category is NOC 51112?
Is NOC 51112 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 51112 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 51112 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 51112 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 5Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sportBroad Category
- 51Professional occupations in art and cultureMajor Group
- 511Professional occupations in art and cultureSub-major Group
- 5111Writing, translating and related communications professionalsMinor Group
- 51112Technical writers
Enquiry
Is NOC 51112 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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