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.
Read more: The Annual Base Salary Range for a Technical Writer | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_12043649_annual-base-salary-range-technical-writer.html#ixzz1gjeACUPg
