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Technical Writers

Typical education: Associate degreeLower pressure

What they do

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

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Artistic: Creating, designing and expressing ideas through art, writing, music or performance.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $90,390 Median per year · $43.46/hr Most earn $57,440–$145,270

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding.
  • Draw sketches to illustrate specified materials or assembly sequence.
  • Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication.
  • Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedure and detail.
  • Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
  • Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.

Job outlook

United States
1% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 3,200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Computer systems design and related services15.4%
  • Management, scientific, and technical consulting services8.9%
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences5.7%
  • Software publishers5.6%
  • Temporary help services5.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Often remoteExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Associate degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Technical writing is usually not a straight-out-of-school job. Most people earn an associate degree, then work 2 to 4 years in a related role such as proofreading or documentation support before they write manuals on their own.

  1. Associate degree in technical communication, English, or a related field

    2 years

    You learn clear writing, editing, and how to explain technical topics, which is the base for everything that follows.

  2. Proofreader

    1-2 years

    You check drafts for errors and consistency, which builds an eye for detail and a feel for how finished documents are put together.

  3. Technical Writer

    Your target career

    You write equipment manuals, operating guides, and maintenance instructions, often working with engineers to turn complex information into clear steps.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Technical Writer

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on larger documentation projects, lead style and quality standards, and mentor newer writers, usually with stronger skills in tools and subject areas.

  2. Documentation Manager

    5-8 years of experience first

    You plan the documentation work for a team or product line, set schedules, and manage writers, which shifts your work from writing to leading.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take English and writing-focused classesStrong writing is the core skill of this career, and classes that practice clear explanations will help you most.
  • Join the school newspaper, yearbook, or literary magazineWorking on deadlines and editing other students' work gives you real writing and editing experience.
  • Take a computer or tech classLearning how software and hardware work helps you understand the products you will one day explain in writing.
  • Write how-to guides for a hobby or family taskPracticing step-by-step instructions for something you know well builds the skill of writing clear directions.
  • Get a part-time job that involves writing or customer helpJobs like tutoring, retail, or helping customers teach you how to explain things simply to others.

In college

  • Major in technical communication, or English with technical coursesCourses in technical writing, editing, and document design directly match the work you will do on the job.
  • Take a science, engineering, or computer courseUnderstanding the subject you are writing about makes it much easier to write accurate instructions.
  • Look for an internship in documentation or communicationsHands-on work with real manuals or product guides gives you samples for your portfolio and a reference for future jobs.
  • Work at the campus writing center or as a tutorHelping other students improve their writing builds your editing skills and your ability to explain things clearly.
  • Join a writing or technical communication clubClubs offer feedback on your drafts, practice projects, and connections to people already working in the field.

Tips for getting started

  • Build a small portfolio of sample manuals or how-to guides, even if they are for a class project or a made-up product. Employers in this field often ask to see writing samples.
  • Learn common documentation tools early, such as word processors, diagram tools, and help-authoring software. Many entry jobs list these skills.
  • Look for jobs or internships at companies that make products with instructions, like electronics, software, or machinery makers, since those companies hire technical writers.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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