Occupation · SOC 27-3042
Technical Writers
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Median wage
$91,670
$54,400–$130,430
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
55,530
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
168 mapped
Core skills
WritingReading ComprehensionSpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingActive LearningTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringCoordinationPersuasionSocial PerceptivenessComplex Problem SolvingNegotiationOperations AnalysisLearning StrategiesInstructingSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisService OrientationManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems EvaluationMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesOperations MonitoringTechnology DesignProgrammingManagement of Financial ResourcesScienceTroubleshootingRepairingOperation and ControlInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
English LanguageComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativeCommunications and MediaAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingProduction and ProcessingCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalTelecommunicationsDesignTransportationLaw and GovernmentSales and MarketingMedicine and DentistryChemistryPsychologyEconomics and AccountingPhysicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesBuilding and ConstructionBiologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyForeign LanguageFine ArtsHistory and ArcheologyTherapy and CounselingPhilosophy and TheologyFood Production
Technology & tools
Adobe AcrobatAdobe CaptivateAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe DreamweaverAdobe FrameMakerAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAdobe RoboHelpApple Final Cut ProAtlassian ConfluenceAtlassian JIRAAuthor-itAutodesk AutoCADBlinkCascading style sheets CSSCorel CorelDraw Graphics SuiteCorel Paint Shop ProCorel VenturaDarwin information typing architecture DITADassault Systemes CATIADassault Systemes SolidWorksDrupalDynamic hypertext markup language DHTMLEpic SystemsExtensible hypertext markup language XHTMLExtensible markup language XMLFileMaker ProGitGitHubGoogle SitesHypertext markup language HTMLIBM Cognos Business IntelligenceIBM NotesIBM Rational ClearCaseIBM Rational ClearQuestJavaScriptJustSystems XMetaLMadCap Software MadCap FlareMicrosoft ASP.NET
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationProcessing InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDocumenting/Recording InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsThinking CreativelyEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationTraining and Teaching OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleScheduling Work and ActivitiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDeveloping and Building TeamsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesAssisting and Caring for OthersCoaching and Developing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming General Physical ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Writing assignments and drafted content — organize and complete according to established style guides and terminology standards under direct supervisor review.Records and revision files — create and maintain using document management software following departmental filing protocols.Technical drawings, specifications, and product samples — review and interpret with guidance to understand basic operating procedures and production sequences.Subject-matter experts and engineering personnel — conduct structured interviews using prepared question sets to gather foundational product information.Photographs, diagrams, and charts — select from approved asset libraries to illustrate straightforward technical material under editorial direction.Online help documentation — assist in drafting and updating discrete topic entries within an established content management system.Written drafts prepared by other personnel — apply standard editorial checklists to identify inconsistencies in grammar, terminology, and formatting.Desktop publishing and web page editing software — use basic features to format and place content into pre-designed templates for publication.Technical journals and product specification documents — read and summarize key details to support familiarity with assigned product technologies.Time-sensitive deliverables — track personal task deadlines using project management software under the direction of a lead technical writer.
developing
Multi-section technical documents — organize and draft independently, applying organizational style standards for clarity, conciseness, and proper terminology across a full document set.Revision histories and content version files — maintain systematically in document management software, ensuring traceability of edits across iterative product releases.Content submitted by engineers and subject-matter experts — edit and standardize for consistency in voice, structure, and technical accuracy with reduced oversight.Graphics, diagrams, and photographic assets — select and coordinate with illustrators or graphic designers to produce visuals that accurately support technical narratives.Production and engineering staff — interview independently and synthesize information from multiple sources to develop accurate procedural and reference documentation.Online help systems and embedded user assistance — develop and maintain using content workflow software, applying single-sourcing practices to reuse content efficiently.Publication layout and pre-press preparation — assist design teams by placing and proofing finalized content in desktop publishing software prior to release.Mockups, engineering drawings, and product prototypes — study in detail to delineate operating procedures, safety sequences, and production workflows in technical manuals.Active learning strategies — apply when onboarding to new product domains, evaluating technical journals and training materials to accelerate subject-matter comprehension.Competing documentation priorities — manage personal workload across multiple concurrent projects using project management software with minimal supervisory guidance.
proficient
Complex, multi-audience documentation suites — author and organize autonomously, calibrating depth, terminology, and structure to meet the needs of technical, operator, and end-user audiences.Enterprise content repositories and revision archives — govern independently, defining file naming conventions, version control protocols, and audit trails for regulated or high-volume documentation environments.Non-routine or technically ambiguous content from engineers and cross-functional teams — evaluate, restructure, and rewrite to meet publication standards without escalation.Visual communication strategy — determine and execute the selection of photographs, technical illustrations, and data visualizations that best clarify complex system architectures or assembly sequences.Deep subject-matter interviews and iterative review cycles — conduct and facilitate with senior technical personnel, resolving conflicting information through critical analysis and independent judgment.Online help architectures and embedded performance support systems — design, build, and continuously maintain across software product lifecycles using structured authoring and content workflow platforms.Publication layout decisions — make and implement for print and digital formats, collaborating with design and production teams to ensure technical accuracy through final press-ready output.Advanced product systems including schematics, software mockups, and engineering specifications — analyze comprehensively to produce integrated technical documentation covering all operational and safety-critical procedures.Graphics and video creation tools — apply proficiently to develop instructional animations, exploded-view diagrams, and multimedia help content that enhance technical comprehension.Documentation quality metrics and editorial judgment — apply across the full project lifecycle to identify systemic content gaps, prioritize revisions, and deliver publication-ready work on schedule.
advanced
Organizational documentation strategy — define and lead across business units, establishing content standards, taxonomy frameworks, and governance policies that align technical communication with product and compliance objectives.Department-wide records management and content lifecycle systems — architect and oversee, setting enterprise standards for version control, archiving, and regulatory traceability across large documentation portfolios.Technical writing teams and cross-functional editorial boards — direct in reviewing and standardizing content quality, modeling expert editorial judgment and mentoring writers through complex revision challenges.Visual and multimedia content standards — establish at the organizational level, defining guidelines for illustration, photography, video, and interactive media that ensure brand and technical consistency across all publications.Stakeholder engagement programs — lead with engineering leadership, product management, and external subject-matter experts to build systemic knowledge-capture processes that accelerate documentation quality and accuracy.Online help and knowledge base ecosystems — design the strategic architecture for, directing teams in implementing scalable, user-centered information systems integrated with product development pipelines.Publication production workflows — oversee end-to-end, partnering with design, localization, and legal teams to ensure all technical content meets accessibility, regulatory, and international standards before release.Emerging product technologies and complex system documentation needs — assess and translate into multi-year content roadmaps, directing resource allocation and tool investment to support organizational growth.Technology and toolchain selection — evaluate and lead adoption of document management, structured authoring, content workflow, and AI-assisted writing platforms that advance the organization's technical communication capability.Organizational learning and professional development — champion for technical communication staff, designing mentorship programs, defining competency benchmarks, and building a culture of intellectual curiosity and documentation excellence.
Also known as
34 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Assembly Instructions WriterClinical WriterContracts WriterDocument SpecialistDocumentation DesignerDocumentation SpecialistDocumentation WriterEngineering Documentation SpecialistEngineering WriterGrant WriterHandbook WriterHealth Science WriterHealth Technical WriterInformation DeveloperLexicographerManual WriterMedical Technical WriterMedical WriterNarrative WriterProcess Description WriterProposal CoordinatorProposal WriterRegulatory Medical WriterReport WriterRequirements AnalystScientific WriterSpecifications WriterTechnical CommunicatorTechnical Content ProfessionalTechnical Proposal WriterTechnical Publications WriterTechnical WriterTechnician WriterUX Writer (User Experience Writer)