Hiring guide · Arts, Media & Design
How to Hire a Technical Writer
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring technical writers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $90,390), recruit through portfolio sites and creative communities, verify Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for technical writers
There are about 46,400 technical writers employed in the U.S., with roughly 3,200 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +0.8% from 2025–35 (little or no change). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $57,440–$70,880 | $27.62–$34.08 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $90,390 | $43.46 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $115,510 | $55.53 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $145,270 | $69.84 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Bachelor's degree (typical entry level)
- Technical writing
- Clarity
Nice-to-haves
- Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC)
- Technical writing certificate
- API documentation training
- Experience with madCap Flare or similar authoring tools
Where to find technical writers
- Portfolio sites and creative communities
- Art, design, film and journalism school career centers
- Freelancers who have already worked with your team
- Professional associations such as AIGA and PRSA
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Technical Communicator, Documentation Specialist, API Writer, Content Developer
Screening checklist
- Portfolio or reel review
- A short paid test project
- Software proficiency check
- References from clients or creative directors
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Share writing samples.”
What a strong answer includes: Show clarity.
2. “How do you learn new technology?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention research and testing.
3. “How do you work with engineers?”
What a strong answer includes: Show collaboration.
4. “What tools do you use?”
What a strong answer includes: Name them.
5. “How do you organize documentation?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain structure.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Write a Step-by-Step Procedure (see the steps)
- Interview a Subject Matter Expert (see the steps)
- Edit for Clarity (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Documentation, Style guide, Information architecture
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Technical Writer 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Technical Writer training. Show them the path forward: Documentation Associate → Technical Writer → Senior Technical Writer → Documentation Manager.
Hiring technical writers: FAQ
How much should I pay a technical writer?
The U.S. median wage for technical writers is $90,390 per year ($43.46/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($70,880), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($115,510). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a technical writer have?
BLS lists “bachelor's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) and Technical writing certificate where relevant, plus skills such as technical writing, information architecture, and editing.
How long does it take to train a new technical writer?
Becoming qualified typically takes 4 years or technical background plus writing training. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “short-term on-the-job training.”