Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 52,300 people employed as technical writers in the United States. The median annual salary is $74,700. Entry level employees earn approximately $45,510 per year and senior employees earn approximately $119,040 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• 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.
• Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail.
• Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material.
• Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedure and detail.
• Review manufacturer's and trade catalogs, drawings and other data relative to operation, maintenance, and service of equipment.
• 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.
• Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.
• Draw sketches to illustrate specified materials or assembly sequence.
• Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding.
• Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication.

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