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Technical Writers

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

SOC: 27-3042.00

Common Job Titles

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

What You'll Need to Succeed

AI-generated

Key competencies for this occupation at a glance

  • KnowledgeCompose technical documentation including equipment manuals, operating instructions, and maintenance procedures using specialized authoring tools and content management systems while adhering to industry style standards.
  • KnowledgeDesign information architecture and content structures for multi-platform documentation delivery using structured authoring methodologies such as DITA and XML frameworks.
  • KnowledgeAnalyze complex technical information from subject matter experts and engineering specifications to extract key concepts and translate them into clear, user-focused documentation.
  • KnowledgeEvaluate existing documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with organizational standards performing quality control reviews across multiple document types and delivery formats.
  • KnowledgeInterpret technical specifications, engineering drawings, and software system architectures collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate representation of product functionality.
  • KnowledgeOrganize multiple concurrent documentation projects with competing deadlines independently managing priorities and coordinating with development cycles using project management tools.
  • KnowledgeSynthesize information from disparate technical sources into cohesive procedural and conceptual content ensuring logical flow and appropriate technical depth for target audiences ranging from novice to expert users.
  • KnowledgeApply desktop publishing and graphic design principles creating visually effective documentation layouts using Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office tools.
  • MindsetEngage with engineers, product managers, and end users conducting interviews and gathering requirements to ensure documentation meets diverse stakeholder needs.
  • Hands-onOperate content management systems, version control software, and collaborative platforms including GitHub, Atlassian Confluence, and SharePoint to maintain documentation repositories.

Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Technical Writers (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

55,530

Wage Distribution by Percentile

Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $54,400. 25th percentile: U.S. $68,640. 50th percentile: U.S. $91,670. 75th percentile: U.S. $102,740. 90th percentile: U.S. $130,430. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.

  • U.S.
MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$54,400
10% of workers earn the following or more$130,430
Workers on average earn$92,330

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • English Language4.8/5
  • Computers and Electronics4.3/5
  • Administrative3.8/5
  • Communications and Media3.3/5
  • Administration and Management3.2/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge

Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

  • 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
  • Drupal
  • Epic Systems
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Git
  • GitHub
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Microsoft ASP.NET
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Java
  • PHP
  • SAS
  • Structured query language SQL

Technology Skills

  • Adobe Captivate
  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe FrameMaker
  • Adobe RoboHelp
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Author-it
  • Blink
  • Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
Tools & Technology: Technology Skills

Tools & Equipment

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