Specifications Writers
Median Salary: $62,700
Many specifications writers across the nation share a few key professional traits. For example, persistence, dependability, and stress tolerance can be crucial for success in the industry, especially when mixed with career training. Around 46,270 folks were employed as specifications writers nationwide in 2009. With that much workplace competition, it's vital to cultivate these characteristics and receive excellent training, particularly if you're preparing to progress in the field.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual income for specifications writers in the U.S. was $62,700 in 2009, which works out to a median hourly wage of $30.20. Of course, income can vary with training and by place. Below, you'll find more data about specifications writers, including wages and job density for areas all over the nation.
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Specifications writers should be skilled in:
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Different folks go into different careers; specifications writers are typically:
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Working as a specifications writer requires knowledge in subjects like:
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Below, you'll see links to more information on the top cities for this occupation (based on the number of folks employed as specifications writers). Note: "Job density" refers to the proportion of specifications writers in each city as compared to the national average.
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 90 | $50,700 | $24.40 | $60,700 | $29.20 | -48.6% |
| Huntsville | 380 | $54,600 | $26.30 | $64,400 | $31.00 | 421.8% |
| Montgomery | 60 | $47,700 | $22.90 | $54,600 | $26.20 | 7.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 40 | $64,000 | $30.80 | $77,200 | $37.10 | -37.9% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 440 | $65,700 | $31.60 | $76,300 | $36.70 | -29.1% |
| Tucson | 140 | $57,300 | $27.60 | $70,100 | $33.70 | 5.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | 50 | $39,100 | $18.80 | $49,000 | $23.60 | -33.9% |
| Little Rock | 70 | $53,100 | $25.50 | $62,600 | $30.10 | -41.2% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | 70 | $60,100 | $28.90 | $70,900 | $34.10 | -22.6% |
| Fresno | 30 | $59,100 | $28.40 | $68,500 | $32.90 | -70.6% |
| Los Angeles (Area) | 2,100 | $68,200 | $32.80 | $88,600 | $42.60 | 10.5% |
| Oakland | 430 | $77,800 | $37.40 | $95,600 | $46.00 | 21.8% |
| Oxnard | 300 | $80,100 | $38.50 | $96,000 | $46.10 | 189% |
| Riverside | 180 | $68,300 | $32.80 | $82,800 | $39.80 | -57.1% |
| Sacramento | 270 | $66,000 | $31.80 | $81,600 | $39.20 | -11.6% |
| San Diego | 780 | $71,400 | $34.30 | $85,900 | $41.30 | 71.2% |
| San Francisco (Area) | 1,130 | $75,100 | $36.10 | $96,400 | $46.40 | 61% |
| San Francisco (City) | 700 | $72,500 | $34.90 | $97,200 | $46.70 | 100.6% |
| San Jose | 1,510 | $97,600 | $46.90 | $112,100 | $53.90 | 378.8% |
| Santa Barbara | 60 | $64,300 | $30.90 | $82,500 | $39.70 | -5.9% |
| Santa Rosa | 80 | $68,500 | $32.90 | $97,000 | $46.60 | 27.7% |
| Vallejo | NA | $62,900 | $30.20 | $72,400 | $34.80 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | 130 | $71,000 | $34.20 | $87,900 | $42.30 | 131.1% |
| Colorado Springs | 200 | $64,000 | $30.80 | $73,100 | $35.20 | 131.6% |
| Denver | 640 | $65,400 | $31.40 | $80,700 | $38.80 | 47.5% |
| Fort Collins | 60 | $68,500 | $33.00 | $89,300 | $43.00 | 21.8% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | NA | $58,600 | $28.20 | $71,100 | $34.20 | NA |
| Hartford | 260 | $56,700 | $27.30 | $73,300 | $35.20 | 32.5% |
| New Haven | 60 | $59,900 | $28.80 | $81,500 | $39.20 | -36.2% |
| Norwich | 150 | $48,500 | $23.30 | $63,600 | $30.60 | 218.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington (Area) | 3,350 | $71,600 | $34.40 | $87,100 | $41.90 | 238.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradenton | 30 | $61,600 | $29.60 | $75,900 | $36.50 | -64.7% |
| Fort Walton Beach | 130 | $52,200 | $25.10 | $59,000 | $28.40 | 385.3% |
| Jacksonville | 90 | $52,500 | $25.20 | $63,000 | $30.30 | -55.1% |
| Miami (Area) | 400 | $55,300 | $26.60 | $71,300 | $34.30 | -46.9% |
| Orlando | 400 | $53,100 | $25.50 | $64,600 | $31.10 | 14.1% |
| Palm Bay | 100 | $60,200 | $28.90 | $72,300 | $34.70 | 44.1% |
| Pensacola | 30 | $45,000 | $21.60 | $54,200 | $26.10 | -37.3% |
| Tampa | 210 | $54,400 | $26.20 | $64,800 | $31.10 | -48% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 870 | $67,400 | $32.40 | $78,300 | $37.60 | 7.6% |
| Augusta | NA | $68,300 | $32.80 | $74,600 | $35.90 | NA |
| Columbus | NA | $49,000 | $23.60 | $58,500 | $28.10 | NA |
| Warner Robins | 130 | $46,100 | $22.20 | $54,200 | $26.10 | 546.6% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | NA | $34,000 | $16.30 | $38,600 | $18.60 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | 130 | $51,100 | $24.60 | $58,000 | $27.90 | 35.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | 30 | $48,600 | $23.40 | $60,100 | $28.90 | -11.3% |
| Chicago (Area) | 1,020 | $57,000 | $27.40 | $74,000 | $35.60 | 18.6% |
| Peoria | 30 | $62,100 | $29.80 | $73,800 | $35.50 | -50% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne | 30 | $58,600 | $28.20 | $77,400 | $37.20 | -55.1% |
| Indianapolis | 400 | $54,800 | $26.30 | $66,200 | $31.80 | 28.8% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 100 | $56,900 | $27.40 | $67,600 | $32.50 | 107.1% |
| Davenport | 80 | $53,200 | $25.60 | $67,600 | $32.50 | 29.1% |
| Des Moines | 150 | $44,700 | $21.50 | $52,700 | $25.30 | 33.3% |
| Iowa City | 40 | $42,700 | $20.50 | $54,300 | $26.10 | 38.7% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | 400 | $49,900 | $24.00 | $58,700 | $28.20 | 280.5% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | 70 | $56,700 | $27.20 | $66,800 | $32.10 | -19.2% |
| Louisville | NA | $54,600 | $26.30 | $64,300 | $30.90 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 90 | $51,200 | $24.60 | $59,400 | $28.50 | -52.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | 820 | $64,900 | $31.20 | $79,000 | $38.00 | 84.5% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston (Area) | 2,260 | $81,500 | $39.20 | $96,700 | $46.50 | 253.1% |
| Pittsfield | NA | $38,700 | $18.60 | $45,900 | $22.10 | NA |
| Worcester | 70 | $68,800 | $33.10 | $80,500 | $38.70 | -19.8% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | 170 | $55,400 | $26.70 | $66,100 | $31.80 | 153.1% |
| Detroit (Area) | 790 | $60,700 | $29.20 | $73,200 | $35.20 | 23.2% |
| Grand Rapids | 300 | $51,400 | $24.70 | $67,500 | $32.40 | 130.8% |
| Kalamazoo | 50 | $51,900 | $25.00 | $62,700 | $30.10 | 9.6% |
| Lansing | 100 | $48,600 | $23.40 | $57,300 | $27.60 | 41.8% |
| Niles | 60 | $55,900 | $26.90 | $75,000 | $36.00 | 174.6% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | 30 | $64,700 | $31.10 | $76,800 | $36.90 | -28.5% |
| Minneapolis | 920 | $66,000 | $31.70 | $78,900 | $37.90 | 51.1% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | 60 | $48,800 | $23.50 | $55,400 | $26.60 | 69.5% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 420 | $50,200 | $24.20 | $62,100 | $29.90 | 21.2% |
| Springfield | 70 | $39,800 | $19.20 | $48,400 | $23.30 | -1.1% |
| St. Louis | 510 | $58,400 | $28.10 | $72,000 | $34.60 | 11.9% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | 100 | $39,500 | $19.00 | $49,200 | $23.70 | 79.7% |
| Omaha | 150 | $53,000 | $25.50 | $64,400 | $31.00 | -5.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | 180 | $49,800 | $23.90 | $63,000 | $30.30 | -40.1% |
| Reno | 50 | $64,100 | $30.80 | $81,100 | $39.00 | -35.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 30 | $77,300 | $37.20 | $89,100 | $42.90 | -0.8% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | 50 | $61,200 | $29.40 | $71,300 | $34.30 | -1.4% |
| Trenton | 140 | $77,200 | $37.10 | $95,300 | $45.80 | 81.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 270 | $68,300 | $32.80 | $89,100 | $42.90 | 99.7% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 140 | $58,800 | $28.30 | $73,900 | $35.50 | -7.6% |
| Binghamton | 40 | $62,100 | $29.90 | $70,200 | $33.70 | -3.7% |
| Buffalo | 80 | $40,000 | $19.20 | $57,400 | $27.60 | -58.2% |
| New York (Area) | 2,370 | $67,300 | $32.40 | $86,100 | $41.40 | -8.5% |
| Rochester | 150 | $63,300 | $30.40 | $72,200 | $34.70 | -15.3% |
| Syracuse | 50 | $56,500 | $27.10 | $66,200 | $31.80 | -57.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 210 | $58,400 | $28.10 | $69,400 | $33.40 | -30.5% |
| Durham | 200 | $63,700 | $30.60 | $79,000 | $38.00 | 104.8% |
| Greensboro | 40 | $57,900 | $27.90 | $66,900 | $32.10 | -68.4% |
| Raleigh | 410 | $69,700 | $33.50 | $82,600 | $39.70 | 132.2% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 90 | $46,000 | $22.10 | $59,900 | $28.80 | -24% |
| Canton | NA | $57,400 | $27.60 | $67,000 | $32.20 | NA |
| Cincinnati | 250 | $50,000 | $24.10 | $61,000 | $29.40 | -28.2% |
| Cleveland | 250 | $55,100 | $26.50 | $67,300 | $32.30 | -30.8% |
| Columbus | 300 | $67,200 | $32.30 | $81,700 | $39.30 | -6.8% |
| Dayton | 330 | $41,700 | $20.00 | $55,200 | $26.60 | 153.4% |
| Toledo | 40 | $55,200 | $26.50 | $64,400 | $31.00 | -63.6% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 150 | $44,700 | $21.50 | $65,800 | $31.60 | -25.7% |
| Tulsa | 120 | $38,400 | $18.50 | $49,500 | $23.80 | -18.9% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | 60 | $40,400 | $19.40 | $62,700 | $30.20 | 20.1% |
| Portland | 470 | $69,500 | $33.40 | $81,400 | $39.10 | 32.5% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | 70 | $61,200 | $29.40 | $73,700 | $35.40 | -44.4% |
| Harrisburg | 100 | $60,200 | $28.90 | $65,900 | $31.70 | -10.7% |
| Philadelphia (Area) | 910 | $64,800 | $31.10 | $78,700 | $37.80 | -16.4% |
| Pittsburgh | 410 | $55,900 | $26.90 | $65,400 | $31.40 | 4.5% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 130 | $62,800 | $30.20 | $72,300 | $34.80 | -31.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 120 | $55,100 | $26.50 | $62,700 | $30.10 | 18.9% |
| Columbia | 80 | $57,100 | $27.40 | $71,900 | $34.60 | -32.8% |
| Greenville | 100 | $37,000 | $17.80 | $49,700 | $23.90 | -4.2% |
| Spartanburg | 30 | $52,000 | $25.00 | $59,200 | $28.50 | -24.6% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 40 | $43,700 | $21.00 | $50,400 | $24.20 | -7.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | 40 | $42,200 | $20.30 | $52,100 | $25.00 | -55.1% |
| Knoxville | 90 | $63,400 | $30.50 | $76,000 | $36.50 | -19.2% |
| Memphis | 110 | $54,900 | $26.40 | $65,000 | $31.30 | -49.2% |
| Nashville | 120 | $56,400 | $27.10 | $74,200 | $35.70 | -53.7% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | 570 | $55,000 | $26.50 | $67,800 | $32.60 | 108.8% |
| Dallas (Area) | 1,100 | $62,800 | $30.20 | $75,300 | $36.20 | 1.4% |
| El Paso | 60 | $60,200 | $28.90 | $70,800 | $34.00 | -41.8% |
| Houston | 840 | $58,700 | $28.20 | $69,700 | $33.50 | -7.6% |
| San Antonio | 460 | $52,000 | $25.00 | $64,400 | $31.00 | 56.2% |
| Waco | NA | $70,200 | $33.70 | $78,000 | $37.50 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | 130 | $52,100 | $25.10 | $62,100 | $29.80 | 87% |
| Provo | 130 | $46,600 | $22.40 | $54,400 | $26.20 | 112.4% |
| Salt Lake City | 380 | $54,100 | $26.00 | $65,300 | $31.40 | 74% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 60 | $51,000 | $24.50 | $65,700 | $31.60 | 47.7% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | 40 | $49,900 | $24.00 | $67,600 | $32.50 | 16.7% |
| Harrisonburg | 50 | $42,900 | $20.70 | $52,200 | $25.10 | 118.1% |
| Richmond | 160 | $62,100 | $29.90 | $79,100 | $38.00 | -23.7% |
| Virginia Beach | 440 | $60,600 | $29.20 | $77,700 | $37.40 | 69.5% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick | 90 | $68,700 | $33.00 | $81,800 | $39.30 | 176.6% |
| Olympia | 60 | $62,700 | $30.10 | $71,900 | $34.60 | 84.5% |
| Seattle (Area) | 1,400 | $69,500 | $33.40 | $87,600 | $42.10 | 55.6% |
| Spokane | 40 | $36,900 | $17.70 | $52,400 | $25.20 | -48.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | 40 | $50,600 | $24.30 | $60,300 | $29.00 | -7.1% |
| Madison | 140 | $54,400 | $26.10 | $67,200 | $32.30 | 16.4% |
| Milwaukee | 280 | $55,200 | $26.50 | $62,700 | $30.20 | -1.7% |
| Racine | 30 | $67,600 | $32.50 | $78,500 | $37.70 | 14.7% |