Technical Writers Show
Technical writers routinely work with other technology experts.
What Technical Writers DoTechnical writers prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. Work EnvironmentMost technical writers work full time. Although technical writers work in a variety of industries, they are concentrated in the computer and management, scientific, and technical industries. How to Become a Technical WriterTechnical writers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. In addition, knowledge of or experience with a technical subject, such as science or engineering, is beneficial. PayThe median annual wage for technical writers was $78,060 in May 2021. Job OutlookEmployment of technical writers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 5,400 openings for technical writers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area DataExplore resources for employment and wages by state and area for technical writers. Similar OccupationsCompare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of technical writers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NETLearn more about technical writers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Technical writers often create diagrams to show users how a product works. Technical writers, also called technical communicators, prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organization’s communications channels. DutiesTechnical writers typically do the following:
Technical writers create paper-based and digital operating instructions, how-to manuals, assembly instructions, and “frequently asked questions” pages to help technical support staff, consumers, and other users within a company or an industry. After a product is released, technical writers also may work with product liability specialists and customer-service managers to improve the end-user experience through product design changes. Technical writers often work with computer hardware engineers, computer support specialists, and software developers to manage the flow of information among project workgroups during development and testing. Therefore, technical writers must be able to understand and discuss complex information with people of diverse occupational backgrounds. Technical writers may serve on teams that conduct usability studies to improve product design. Technical writers may research topics through visits to libraries and websites, discussions with technical specialists, and observation. Technical writers are also responsible for managing the consistency of technical content and its use across departments including product development, manufacturing, marketing, and customer relations. Some technical writers help write grant proposals for research scientists and institutions. Increasingly, technical information is delivered online and through social media. Technical writers use the interactive technologies of the Web and social media to blend text, graphics, multidimensional images, sound, and video.
Technical writers usually work in offices. Technical writers held about 55,400 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of technical writers were as follows:
Most technical writers work full time. They routinely work with engineers and other technology experts to manage the flow of information throughout an organization. Although most technical writers are employed directly by the companies that use their services, some freelance and are paid per assignment. Freelancers are either self-employed or work for a technical consulting firm and are given short-term or recurring assignments, such as writing about a new product. Technical writing jobs are usually concentrated in locations with a multitude of information technology or scientific and technical research companies, such as ones in California and Texas. Work SchedulesTechnical writers may be expected to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines.
Some technical writers work on a freelance basis. Technical writers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. In addition, knowledge of or experience with a technical subject, such as science or engineering, is beneficial. EducationEmployers generally prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, or a related field. Technical writing jobs may require candidates to have knowledge of a technical field, such as engineering or computer and information technology. Work Experience in a Related OccupationSome technical writers begin their careers as specialists or research assistants in a technical field. They eventually develop technical communication skills and assume primary responsibilities for technical writing. In small firms, entry-level technical writers may work on projects right away; in large companies, beginning technical writers may shadow experienced writers and interact with specialists before being assigned projects. TrainingMany technical writers need short-term on-the-job training to adapt their narrative style to a descriptive style of writing. Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsSome associations, including the Society for Technical Communication, offer certification for technical writers. In addition, the American Medical Writers Association offers extensive continuing education programs and certificates in medical writing. These certificates are available to professionals in the medical and scientific communication fields. Although not mandatory, these credentials demonstrate competence and professionalism, making candidates more attractive to employers. A professional credential also may increase a technical writer’s opportunities for advancement. AdvancementProspects for advancement generally include working on projects that are more complex and leading or training junior staff. Important QualitiesCritical-thinking skills. Technical writers must be able to simplify complex, technical information for colleagues and consumers who have nontechnical backgrounds. Detail oriented. Technical writers create instructions for others to follow. As a result, they must be precise about every step. Imagination. Technical writers must think about a procedure or product as if they are someone who does not have technical knowledge. Teamwork. Technical writers must be able to work well with other writers, designers, editors, illustrators, and the technical workers whose procedure or product they are explaining. Technical skills. Technical writers must be able to understand complex information. Technical writers may benefit from a background in fields such as engineering or science. Writing skills. Technical communicators must have excellent writing skills to be able to explain technical information clearly. Median annual wages, May 2021 The median annual wage for technical writers was $78,060 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,890, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $125,010. In May 2021, the median annual wages for technical writers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Technical writers may be expected to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines. Most work full time. Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31 Employment of technical writers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 5,400 openings for technical writers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. EmploymentAs product innovation continues, technical writers will be needed to convert complex information into a format that nontechnical users of these products understand. The continuing expansion of scientific and technical products and growth in digital product support needs will drive employment demand for these writers. Employment projections data for technical writers, 2021-31
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth
for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles
with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. Similar Occupations About this sectionThis table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of technical writers.
Last Modified Date: Thursday, September 8, 2022 What is the job of a technical communicator?Technical communicators translate complex technical product or service information into understandable and accessible user information. They act as mediators between product developers and users.
Is technical communication a good career?Technical writing (or technical communication) is a very rewarding career both in terms of job satisfaction and monetary reward. Many people outside of the profession may be familiar with the term on a superficial level, however their knowledge of the profession may be limited or inaccurate.
What are examples of technical communication?Examples of technical communication include instructions on how to use a particular appliance or technological device, pharmaceutical pamphlets that explain a particular medication's mechanisms, scientific research and grant proposals, instructions on how to troubleshoot a particular technical issue, and internal ...
Which one is a kind of job within technical communication?Other jobs available to technical communicators include digital strategist, marketing specialist, and content manager. In 2015, the European Association for Technical Communication published a competence framework for the professional field of technical communication.
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