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Technical Writers

General Information

Description

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

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit76.39%
  2. Self-employed9.55%
  3. Federal government4.67%
  4. Private, not for profit4.63%
  5. State and local government4.43%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications

Job Outlook

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.

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Job Outlook

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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.

Similar Careers

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$78,060

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$102,670
$38,230
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Associate's degree 35%
  • Bachelor's degree 33%
  • Some college 15%
  • Post-secondary certificate 6%
  • Master's degree 5%
  • Post baccalaureate 2%
  • High school 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • English Language
  • Administrative
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Communications and Media
  • Education and Training

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.