Technical Writers
1. OVERVIEW
Technical writers specialize in creating clear, concise, and accurate documentation to communicate complex and technical information. This can include instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, online help content, and other forms of technical communication. These professionals often work in industries such as computer technology, engineering, and manufacturing, helping users understand complex products and processes.
2024 Median Pay: $91,670 per year
Job Growth (2023–2033): 4% (As fast as average)
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: Less than 5 years
On-the-job Training: Short-term on-the-job training
2. Role Breakdown by Level
Entry-Level Role: Technical Writer
Job Titles: Junior Technical Writer, Entry-Level Technical Writer
Education: Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, or a related field. Technical knowledge in areas like engineering or IT can be beneficial.
Experience: Typically, less than 5 years of related experience. Experience in technical communication or as a research assistant in technical fields is common.
Core Duties:
Draft and revise technical documentation such as manuals and product guides.
Work closely with technical experts to ensure accuracy.
Ensure that content is clear and accessible to the target audience.
Edit and proofread written content to ensure it adheres to quality standards.
Salary Range: $54,400 – $91,670 per year
Key Skills:
Writing and editing skills
Attention to detail
Technical understanding (e.g., knowledge of the industry or product)
Research skills
Mid-Level Role: Senior Technical Writer
Job Titles: Technical Writer II, Senior Technical Writer
Education: Bachelor’s degree, with additional specialization or certifications in technical writing or the specific technical field of work.
Experience: Several years of experience in technical writing or related roles, such as a subject matter expert (SME) or technical communicator.
Core Duties:
Manage larger writing projects and coordinate with multiple teams.
Edit content produced by junior writers and ensure consistency across documentation.
Develop user-friendly content that aligns with organizational goals.
Work closely with product developers to design and maintain technical documents.
Salary Range: $75,000 – $105,000 per year
Key Skills:
Leadership and mentoring
Advanced research and technical analysis
Project management
Cross-departmental communication
Use of documentation tools (e.g., Adobe FrameMaker, MadCap Flare)
Senior-Level Role: Lead Technical Writer or Technical Writing Manager
Job Titles: Lead Technical Writer, Technical Writing Manager, Senior Documentation Specialist
Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher, often with a focus in technical communication, technical writing, or the specific field the writer specializes in.
Experience: 8+ years of technical writing experience, with a significant portion in leadership roles such as managing writing teams or overseeing documentation for large projects.
Core Duties:
Lead a team of technical writers and oversee the production of all technical content.
Set standards and guidelines for documentation, ensuring consistency and quality across all materials.
Work with senior leadership to align documentation with business objectives.
Review and revise complex documentation to ensure it meets the needs of diverse user groups.
Drive innovation in how content is delivered, including multimedia or digital solutions.
Salary Range: $105,000 – $130,430 per year
Key Skills:
Strategic leadership and team management
Advanced technical knowledge in the field
Expertise in various writing tools and technologies
Knowledge of content management systems (CMS)
Effective stakeholder management and communication
3. How to Become a Technical Writer
Education Requirements
Entry-Level: A bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism, or a related field. It’s helpful to have a background in a technical field like engineering, computer science, or medicine, depending on the industry.
Mid-Level: Several years of experience in technical writing or related roles, with a focus on developing specialized skills. Pursuing certifications in technical writing can enhance your qualifications.
Senior-Level: A bachelor's degree is typically required, but an advanced degree or specialized certifications in technical writing or the specific technical field can help. Continuing education is often necessary to stay updated with tools, technologies, and industry standards.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Entry-Level: Experience may be gained through internships, freelance work, or roles such as research assistants in technical fields.
Mid-Level: Experience should include progressively responsible roles, such as taking on larger projects, supervising junior writers, or working across departments to produce documentation.
Senior-Level: Significant experience, including team leadership, project management, and expertise in writing complex documentation for specialized industries.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Certifications: Certification from professional bodies such as the Society for Technical Communication (STC) or American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) can be beneficial for advancement.
Training: Technical writers can benefit from formal courses or workshops offered by organizations like STC or AMWA. Many universities and online platforms also offer specialized courses in technical writing.
4. Skills & Tools
Core Skills
Writing Skills: Ability to produce clear, concise, and user-friendly documentation.
Technical Understanding: The ability to grasp complex technical concepts and communicate them to non-technical users.
Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in documentation, from formatting to technical details.
Research Skills: Gathering information from various sources, such as product manuals, interviews with SMEs, or product tests.
Problem-Solving: Identifying challenges in communicating technical information and finding ways to overcome them.
Tools & Equipment
Documentation Tools: Familiarity with tools such as MadCap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker, Microsoft Word, or LaTeX.
Content Management Systems (CMS): Systems like WordPress, Drupal, or SharePoint to manage, publish, and update documentation.
Design Tools: Tools for creating visuals, such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Visio, to enhance user understanding through diagrams or charts.
Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Trello, Jira, or Asana to track tasks and manage projects.
5. Work Environment
Technical writers typically work in an office setting, although many freelance and work remotely, especially in industries like IT and digital services. Full-time technical writers often collaborate with engineers, designers, and product managers to ensure that documentation is clear and consistent across all departments.
Work Schedule: Typically full-time, though deadlines may require evening or weekend work. Freelance writers have more flexible schedules, though they often need to manage multiple clients and projects simultaneously.
Work Locations: Primarily in office settings, though remote and freelance work are common, especially in industries like technology and healthcare.
6. Pay
Median Annual Wage (2024): $91,670 per year
Salaries by Industry:
Professional, scientific, and technical services: $86,170
Manufacturing: $80,070
Government: $84,950
Information: $83,380
7. Job Outlook
Job Growth: Projected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033, which is about as fast as average for all occupations.
Annual Openings: About 4,100 openings for technical writers are projected each year, on average, over the next decade. Many openings are expected due to retirement or workers transitioning to other occupations.
8. Related Occupations
Computer Programmers: Write, modify, and test software code.
Editors: Plan and revise content for publication.
Public Relations Specialists: Create and maintain a positive public image for clients.
9. Resources for Learning & Advancement
Books:
"The Insider's Guide to Technical Writing" by Krista Van Laan
"The Technical Writer’s Handbook" by Matt Young
Online Courses:
LinkedIn Learning: Courses on technical writing and communication.
Coursera: Specialized courses in technical writing and writing for the web.
Certifications:
Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) from the Society for Technical Communication (STC).
Medical Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA).
Communities:
Reddit: r/technicalwriting for resources, advice, and community support.
YouTube: Channels offering tutorials and tips for improving technical writing skills.
