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Technical Writers
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Other titles employers use
Documentation Designer · Documentation Specialist · Engineering Writer · Information Developer · Medical Writer · Narrative Writer · Requirements Analyst · Technical Communicator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
- Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
- Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
- Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
- Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
- Develop or maintain online help documentation.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing, creative and analytical work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Subjects to know
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Communications and Media
- Administration and Management
Useful strengths
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.7 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 1.7 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 3.5 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A two-year degree 35%
- A four-year degree 33%
- A certificate or some college 23%
- A master's degree 8%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Web platform development software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Document management software
- Project management software
- Desktop publishing software
- Development environment software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 6,900
- Job openings each year
- 590
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 7.8%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 6,900 | 590 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 6,300 | 560 | 16.5% |
| Virginia | 3,300 | 280 | 6.5% |
| Florida | 3,180 | 280 | 16.9% |
| New York | 2,850 | 20 | 8.0% |
| Arizona | 2,750 | 250 | 20.6% |
| North Carolina | 2,720 | 240 | 16.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,660 | 220 | 5.1% |
| Colorado | 2,450 | 220 | 17.2% |
| Washington | 2,430 | 260 | 19.7% |
| Maryland | 2,350 | 200 | 11.4% |
| Ohio | 1,940 | 160 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 1,510 | 130 | 4.9% |
| Illinois | 1,310 | 110 | 3.1% |
| Michigan | 1,200 | 100 | 1.7% |
| Minnesota | 1,170 | 100 | 5.4% |
| Georgia | 1,110 | 100 | 14.4% |
| Indiana | 960 | 80 | 12.9% |
| Utah | 960 | 90 | 26.3% |
| Oklahoma | 940 | 80 | 5.6% |
| Tennessee | 940 | 80 | 16.0% |
| Alabama | 790 | 70 | 5.3% |
| Connecticut | 790 | 70 | 14.5% |
| Massachusetts | 740 | 60 | 5.7% |
| Wisconsin | 700 | 60 | 9.4% |
| Missouri | 590 | 50 | 7.3% |
| Iowa | 550 | 50 | 10.0% |
| Kansas | 510 | 40 | 6.3% |
| Oregon | 510 | 40 | 8.5% |
| South Carolina | 510 | 50 | 13.3% |
| District of Columbia | 470 | 40 | 2.2% |
| New Mexico | 460 | 40 | 15.0% |
| Kentucky | 370 | 30 | 8.8% |
| Idaho | 350 | 30 | 16.7% |
| Nebraska | 310 | 30 | 6.9% |
| Louisiana | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Nevada | 240 | 20 | 14.3% |
| New Hampshire | 210 | 20 | 10.5% |
| Alaska | 180 | 20 | 12.5% |
| Montana | 180 | 20 | 20.0% |
| Arkansas | 160 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Vermont | 160 | 10 | 23.1% |
| South Dakota | 120 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Puerto Rico | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Mississippi | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| West Virginia | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| North Dakota | 40 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 1,188
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
The University of Texas at Austin
- Degrees each year
- 522
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
- Degrees each year
- 180
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
Michigan State University
- Degrees each year
- 469
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Degrees each year
- 336
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Oregon
- Degrees each year
- 430
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Chapman University
- Degrees each year
- 185
- Admit rate
- 56%
- Annual cost after aid
- $34,000
University of Colorado Boulder
- Degrees each year
- 411
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Compare every college offering business/corporate communications