by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Technical & Scientific Communication involves the study of Technical And Scientific Communication. A Program That Focuses On The Communication Of Technical And Scientific Knowledge To A Variety Of Audiences Through Print, Video, And Digital Media; And That Prepares Individuals To Function As Technical Writers And Editors, Documentation Developers, Web Designers, And Usability Specialists. Includes Instruction In Scientific And Technical Writing And Editing, Graphic And Information Design, Web Design, Audience Analysis, Document Usability And Field Testing, Publications Management, And Applications To Specific Technical Fields. Examples: [Technical Communication], [Scientific Communication]. Continue reading for the essential details every technical & scientific communication major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering technical & scientific communication programs.
Nationwide, technical & scientific communication is a widely-pursued major, with 191 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Technical & Scientific Communication Schools ranking analyzes these 28 schools to determine the best overall colleges for technical & scientific communication students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of technical & scientific communication programs later in this article.
Coursework for Technical & Scientific Communication emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations technical & scientific communication graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a technical & scientific communication program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a technical & scientific communication major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several technical & scientific communication degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 83 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 107 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to technical & scientific communication tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 51.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.7% |
| Some college courses | 4.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in technical & scientific communication careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in technical & scientific communication prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to technical & scientific communication.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to technical & scientific communication.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Technical Writers | 396,969 | 6.9% |
| Editors | 11,763 | 3.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of technical & scientific communication graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,317 |
| 4 years | $55,248 |
| 5 years | $64,495 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for technical & scientific communication graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers technical & scientific communication grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Editors | $100,346 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| Technical Writers | $52,099 |
With 28 different technical & scientific communication programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased technical & scientific communication school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in technical & scientific communication, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Advertising | 4,308 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 4,077 |
| Public Relations/Image Management | 4,061 |
| Communication Management and Strategic Communications | 1,956 |
| Organizational Communication, General | 1,789 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other | 1,296 |
| Sports Communication | 1,202 |
| Health Communication | 362 |
| Political Communication | 211 |
| International and Intercultural Communication | 183 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
