Technical Writers

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

$91,670
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+1% projected 2024โ€“2034
Bachelor's degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Technical writers transform complex technical information into clear, user-friendly documentation that helps people understand and use products, systems, or services effectively. They create instruction manuals, online help guides, API documentation, training materials, and procedural guides for software applications, medical devices, engineering systems, and other technical products. Their work involves collaborating closely with engineers, developers, product managers, and subject matter experts to gather accurate information, then organizing and presenting it in a way that makes sense to the intended audience, whether that's end users, technicians, or other professionals.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(doctoral)The University of Texas at Austin, TX
$82,205
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Northeastern University Professional Programs, MA
$77,360
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Northeastern University, MA
$77,360
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Mount Saint Mary's University, CA
$70,010
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Boston University, MA
$64,693
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Harvard University, MA
$64,693
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Bay Path University, MA
$64,693
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Lesley University, MA
$64,693
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)University of Massachusetts-Boston, MA
$64,693
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Simmons University, MA
$64,693
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Western New England University, MA
$64,693
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, MA
$64,693
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)The University of Texas at El Paso, TX
$63,112
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Ashland University, OH
$61,708
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services(certificate)Alexandria Technical & Community College, MN
$58,733
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(doctoral)Duquesne University, PA
$58,015
Business/Corporate Communications(bachelors)Bentley University, MA
$57,141
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus, NJ
$56,767
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus, NJ
$56,767
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Kennesaw State University, GA
$55,464
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Johns Hopkins University, MD
$55,398
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services(bachelors)Syracuse University, NY
$55,192
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Boise State University, ID
$55,136
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Towson University, MD
$53,974
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Carnegie Mellon University, PA
$53,254

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