What Does a Technical Writer Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a technical writer do?

Technical writers prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, help content, API documentation and other materials that explain complex information clearly. The median pay is $90,390 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years or technical background plus writing training, and employment is projected to grow +0.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$90,390
$43.46/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+0.8%
2025–35, little or no change
Openings per year
3,200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
4 years or technical background plus writing training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
46,400
Employment, 2025

What technical writers do

Technical writers make complex things easy to understand. They interview engineers and experts, test products, write user guides, help centers, API docs, procedures and training materials, and update content as products change. They work in software, manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, government and more.

Most technical writers have a bachelor’s degree and some knowledge of a technical field. Many move into the job from engineering, IT or support roles. Clear writing and the ability to learn quickly are key.

Typical duties

Interview subject matter experts
Test products and procedures
Write manuals, guides and help content
Create API and developer documentation
Edit and update documents
Create diagrams and screenshots
Manage documentation tools and style guides

Work environment and schedule

Technical writers work in offices or remotely, mostly at computers.

Schedule: Most work full-time with deadlines tied to product releases.

A day in the life

9:00 AMReview product release notes and plan documentation updates.
10:00 AMInterview an engineer about a new feature.
11:30 AMTest the feature and capture screenshots.
1:00 PMWrite a how-to article.

See a full day in the life of a technical writer →

Technical Writer salary

Half of technical writers earned more than $90,390 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $57,440 for the lowest 10% to $145,270 for the top 10%.

$57,44010th$90,390Median$145,27090th

Full technical writer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a technical writer

Build writing skills
Learn a technical field
Create samples
Get an entry-level role
Advance

A bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism or a technical field is typical, plus knowledge of the subject area.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a technical writer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Technical writing
Information architecture
Editing
Documentation tools
API documentation

People skills

Clarity
Curiosity
Collaboration
Attention to detail

All technical writer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Remote-friendly
Good pay
Learn about many technologies
Clear, focused work

Cons

Chasing busy experts
Release deadlines
Docs can be undervalued
Constant updates

Certifications and licenses

Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC): Society for Technical Communication credential.
Technical writing certificate: University or online programs.
API documentation training: Courses for developer docs.
Writing portfolio: Samples of documentation.

Career path

Documentation Associate: Support writers.
Technical Writer: Write documentation.
Senior Technical Writer: Lead doc projects.
Documentation Manager: Lead content strategy.

Learn the job before day one

Our Technical Writer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as write a step-by-step procedure and interview a subject matter expert, safety and how to land your first job.

View Technical Writer training Is this career right for me?

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Compare: Technical Writer vs. Journalist · Technical Writer vs. PR Specialist · Technical Writer vs. Software Developer · Technical Writer vs. Instructional Coordinator

Technical Writer FAQ

Do technical writers need a degree?

Usually, though experience counts.

Is technical writing remote?

Often.

Do technical writers need to code?

Not always, but it helps for API docs.

How much does a technical writer make?

The median annual wage for technical writers was $90,390 ($43.46 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $57,440 and the highest 10% earned more than $145,270.

How long does it take to become a technical writer?

Most people need about 4 years or technical background plus writing training of training. A bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism or a technical field is typical, plus knowledge of the subject area.

Do you need a degree to be a technical writer?

Usually. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many writers move in from engineering, IT or support roles with strong writing samples.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 27-3042 (Technical writers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Technical writers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Technical Writer