Technical Writer Job Description Information

Technical writers are professionals who write technical documents for a specific audience, usually, a nontechnical audience. These documents could be instruction manuals, web content, proposals, medical or scientific reports, engineering specifications and online help. Because this field is so diverse, the position description will vary from job to job and industry to industry.

 

Know Software

• Although the software will vary, technical writers will need to be familiar with software. At a minimum, they will use word processing software such as Microsoft Word. The second most common tool is a desktop publishing software such as InDesign or Quark. Image editing tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator are also important.

Understand Grammar

• The technical writers will most likely be the English experts in the company. It is, therefore, vital that they know, understand and use proper grammar.

Gather Technical Information

• Although technical writers may not have an understanding of the technical information in the company, they must be able to research this information and communicate it appropriately to their intended audience.

Interact with Subject Matter Experts

• Technical writers work closely with subject matter experts, such as engineers, to ensure accurate information in the documentation and to give appropriate feedback concerning product improvements.

Lay Out Documents

• Some companies may have separate departments that format and place graphics in the documents; however, this often becomes part of the writer's duties. She must have an understanding of design principles to lay out the documents in an appealing way.

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Technical Writer Salary Information

There were 43,990 technical writers employed in the United States in 2009, according to a May 2010 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These professionals primarily convert highly complex data into usuable information, such as reports, websites, government proposals and journals. They also write press releases and brochures to help sell their companies' products. Most of these workers have bachelor's degrees in technical writing, journalism or English. They usually earn annual salaries.

 

Salary and Benefits

• Technical writers earned annual median salaries of $63,280, according to the May 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics' report. Median salaries appear in the exact middle of salary lists and can vary somewhat from average, or mean, salaries. The middle 50 percent earned salaries between $47,970 and $81,110 per year. The top 10 percent made more than $100,910 annually. These wordsmiths earned average annual salaries of $66,240. Those working for companies or government agencies may receive benefits such as life and health insurance, paid time off and retirement plans. Self-employed technical writers must purchase their own health benefits.

Average Salary by Industry

• Technical writers' salaries can vary somewhat by industry. They earned their highest average annual salaries of $84,730 in 2010 working for wireless telecommunications carriers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They earned their second highest salaries in the computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing industry, at $82,960 per year. Those in the electric power generation, transmission and distributiion industry also earned above-average salaries of $78,330 per year, while technical writers who worked in the architectural and engineering industry earned slightly below the national average, at $64,750 annually.

Average Salary by State

• Technical writers earn higher salaries in certain states. Higher living costs may be one factor that influences the higher salaries. For example, they earned the highest annual salaries in California in 2010, averaging $82,730, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. The cost of living is typically higher in California than other states. Those in Massachusetts also earned relatively high salaries of $81,270 per year. These professionals also earned above-average salaries in New Hampshire, at $75,290 annually, but earned below the national average, at $60,600 per year, in Texas.

Job Outlook

• Jobs for technical writers were expected to increase 18 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This rate of growth is considered "faster than average" compared to other careers. Much of the job growth will be spurred by the high-tech, scientific and electronics industries. These professionals will also be needed to support customer service and web-based applications in the workforce.

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How to Become a Technical Writer

A technical writer is someone who takes a bunch of technical jargon, and makes sense of it. These people write user manuals and technical how-to guides the average Joe can follow. It does take some skill and preparation, but a technical writer can make a terrific income. If you want the freedom to work from home, or if you simply like writing, the technical field could be a terrific avenue to follow. This article will help you get started making income as a technical writer.

1. Join the STC (Society for Technical Communication). This is a professional organization for technical writers, employers, and businesses. Anyone interested in technical writing should join this organization. It allows you to communicate and network with fellow writers and people looking for technical writing work. In fact, some employers only post technical writer jobs in their local STC chapters.
2. Call your local community college or university and sign up for a technical writer class. Most colleges have classes designed for technical writing, but if you don't have one in your area, there are plenty of online classes available.
3. Create a sample book that showcases you as a technical writer. The book doesn't have to be very technical in nature. It just has to show that you can form logical step by step instructions, format the book correctly in Microsoft Word or FrameMaker, and understand how to convert it to a PDF file.
4. Create a CV (Curriculum Vitae). This is similar to a resume and showcases your writing and technical writing skills. If you have little to no technical writing experience, be sure to include writing experience that has nothing to do with technical work. To be a technical writer, you have to start from somewhere.
5. Search Dice.com for jobs. It is one of the largest job databases for a technical writer. There are, however, several other job databases you should search, but this is a great place to start. 

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