The Job Market
In 2006, economists released a study proclaiming “technical writing” to be one of the best fields in the country, for employment opportunities and pay. In fact, it was ranked 13th in the nation! Each year, STC conducts a Technical Communicator Salary Survey. In 2005, nearly 2300 technical communicators responded to the survey. The mean income for those respondents was $67,520, which includes beginners and senior level.
Who Hires Technical Writers?
At one time, technical writers seemed to mostly work with the government or the computer industry, but that is no longer the case. Some companies need a technical writer with the “standard” documentation skills, the ability to write or edit a user manual or document manufacturing processes. However, some companies need a writer who has experience working in their specific field.
What Do Employers Want?
Job board postings are quite educational. Technical writing job announcements show what software skills employers are looking for, what level of expertise they want in their specific field, and what they are willing to pay. To get an idea of the various types of technical writing positions are available, you can check out these job boards: