Technical writing involves creating clear and concise documentation that helps users understand complex technical concepts. This can include anything from user manuals and product documentation to software documentation and training materials.
Highlights:
- Technical writing is often found in instruction manuals, user guides, and technical reports, and is not the same as academic writing.
- While the salary of a technical writer depends on location, and the company, the median salary of a technical writer in the United states is $78k.
- It’s easy to become a technical writer as you can become one without a college degree.
Why it matters:
Technical writing is a growing career field. You can become a technical writer just from any field and earn good money.
What do technical writers do?
In high tech, Technical writers work closely with engineers, software developers, and other technical experts to ensure that their documentation accurately reflects the product or system being described.
Technical writing is different from academic writing. Technical writing is often found in instruction manuals, user guides, and technical reports. On the other hand, academic writing is more focused on analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information, and is intended for an academic audience.
How much does technical writer earn?
Salaries can vary based on factors such as experience, skills, and the specific company. Per data from Glassdoor and PayScale, here’s are salaries of technical writers at Google, Microsoft, and Okta:
Google:
- Glassdoor: The typical Google Technical Writer salary is £62,000 in the UK and $169,557 per year in the US. The salary can range from £20,000 – £64,500 in the UK and $135K – $216K in the US.
- PayScale: The average salary for a Technical Writer at Google is not available on PayScale.
Microsoft:
- Glassdoor: The typical Microsoft Technical Writer salary ranges from £43,876-£54,139 in the UK and $134,420 per year in the US.
- PayScale: The average salary for a Technical Writer at Microsoft is not available on PayScale.
Okta:
- Glassdoor: The average Technical Writer total compensation at Okta ranges from $203K to $289K per year.
- PayScale: The average salary for a Technical Writer at Okta is not available on PayScale.
Do I need a college degree to become a technical writer?
A college degree is the typical level of education expected for technical writers, but you can become a technical writer without a college degree. Per Degreequery, all you need is college education.
However, if you’ve an opportunity to to take a college degree, you can pursue a degree in English, Writing or Technical communications or you can transition from technical fields such as Computer science, Mathematics, Engineering or any science field.
Our take
- Technical writing is a well-established field that offers a rewarding career path. The financial prospects for technical writers are promising, and the beauty of this profession is that you can transition into it from virtually any other career.
- Even if you don’t have the opportunity to pursue formal education, there are numerous online resources available, such as LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Udemy, where you can acquire the necessary skills at your own pace.
- Once you’ve gained some knowledge, start practicing your writing. Showcase your work online and build a portfolio to demonstrate your abilities. Consider applying for internships to gain practical experience. With dedication and perseverance, you’ll soon find yourself excelling as a technical writer.
- Here’s a reddit thread that we found useful if you’re considering a career in technical writing, Vitality of technical writing as a career.