Technical Writers

Career Overview

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

Also Known As

• Documentation Specialist
• Information Developer
• Technical Communicator
• Technical Writer

Alternate Job Titles

• Assembly Instructions Writer
• Clinical Writer
• Contracts Writer
• Document Specialist
• Documentation Designer
• Documentation Specialist
• Documentation Writer
• Engineering Documentation Specialist
• Engineering Writer
• Grant Writer
• Handbook Writer
• Health Science Writer
• Health Technical Writer
• Information Developer
• Lexicographer

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
• Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
• Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
• Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
• Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
• Develop or maintain online help documentation.
• Assist in laying out material for publication.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• English Language
• Computers and Electronics
• Administrative

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Writing
2. Reading Comprehension
3. Active Listening
4. Speaking
5. Critical Thinking

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Written Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Near Vision
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Clarity
• Problem Sensitivity

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Intellectual Curiosity
• Achievement Orientation
• Cautiousness

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Working Conditions
• Independence
• Achievement
• Support
• Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Adobe Acrobat
• Adobe Creative Cloud software
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Photoshop
• Atlassian Confluence
• Atlassian JIRA
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Cascading style sheets CSS
• Dassault Systemes SolidWorks

Tools & Equipment

• Compact digital cameras
• Computer data input scanners
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Personal computers
• Universal serial bus USB flash drives

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
• Spend Time Sitting
• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$54,400
Median	$91,670
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$130,430

Workers Employed Nationally: 55,530

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.