Technical Writer

Your Fit

Income

$75K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

6.9%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Technical Writer?

A Technical Writer specializes in creating clear and concise documentation that explains complex information in an understandable manner. They often write manuals, guidebooks, or articles about technical subjects, including electronics, software, and engineering.

Sample job titles:

Documentation Specialist, Information Developer, Technical Communicator, Technical Writer

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Technical Writer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Technical Writer earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Technical Writer.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$52K per year	$65K per year	$75K per year	$100K per year	$105K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $10K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Technical Writer do?

Work environment

Technical Writers typically work in offices, collaborating closely with technical staff, engineers, product managers, and other professionals. They are often employed in industries such as technology, manufacturing, engineering, and pharmaceuticals. Remote work and freelancing are also common in this field.

Quick task list

Writes, edits, and updates technical documents like user manuals, instruction guides, and reference materials.
Collaborates with technical staff to understand product details and specifications.
Ensures technical documentation is accessible and understandable to the target audience.
Conducts research and uses subject-matter expertise to explain complex information.
Utilizes various multimedia tools and platforms to enhance documentation.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Software Documentation: Writing guides and manuals for software applications and systems.
Medical Writing: Specializing in creating documentation for medical equipment and pharmaceuticals.
Engineering Documentation: Focusing on technical materials for engineering products and services.
Science Communication: Writing about scientific topics for a non-expert audience.
API Documentation: Specializing in creating documentation for Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) in the tech industry.

Description

Technical Writers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between complex technical information and the users or consumers who need to understand it. Their work involves not just writing, but also understanding technical concepts and translating them into clear, concise, and user-friendly language. This requires a unique combination of technical knowledge and writing skills.

In their daily work, Technical Writers often engage in extensive research and collaboration with experts to ensure accuracy and clarity in their documentation. They must stay current with technological advancements and industry trends to effectively communicate complex information. Additionally, they may use a variety of tools and platforms, including content management systems and multimedia software, to create and publish their documents.

The field of technical writing is evolving, with a growing emphasis on digital documentation and interactive content. As technology continues to advance, Technical Writers are increasingly working on a diverse range of projects, from traditional print manuals to online help systems, video tutorials, and interactive guides.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making complex information accessible and understandable to a wide audience.
The intellectual challenge of learning and writing about new technologies or subjects.
Seeing the tangible results of your work being used by others to understand and operate products and systems.

You might make a good Technical Writer if you are...

Skilled in writing and communicating complex ideas clearly.
Interested in technology, science, or engineering.
Detail-oriented, with strong research and analytical skills.
Able to understand and translate technical jargon into everyday language.
Comfortable working independently and collaboratively with experts in various fields.

Pros:

High demand in many industries, especially in technology.
Opportunities for continual learning and staying updated with advancements.
Flexibility in work environment, including potential for remote work.

Cons:

Deadlines can be demanding and may require extra hours.
Requires continual learning to keep up with technical advancements.
Can be challenging to simplify complex information without losing accuracy.

How to become a Technical Writer

Typical education

Most Technical Writer positions require a bachelor's degree, typically in English, Communications, or a technical field like Computer Science, amounting to about 4 years of post-secondary education. Additional technical knowledge or expertise in a specific area can be advantageous.

High school preparation

Courses:

English and Writing to develop strong written communication skills.
Computer Science or Technical Courses to gain basic technical knowledge.
Journalism or Communications for an understanding of audience and content structuring.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Writing for school publications like newspapers or magazines.
Participating in science clubs or tech-related activities.
Volunteering to write or edit newsletters for community organizations.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, or a related technical field.
Consider internships in technical writing or related roles for practical experience.
Engage in online courses or workshops on technical writing, content management systems, and relevant software tools.

More resources

Society for Technical Communication (STC) - Offers resources, certifications, and networking opportunities for technical writers.
Write the Docs - A global community of technical writers with resources and conferences.
TechWhirl - Provides articles, forums, and job listings for technical communication professionals.
Coursera – Technical Writing Courses - Offers a variety of online courses in technical writing and related skills.
LinkedIn Learning – Technical Writing - Provides courses on technical writing and communication skills.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.