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What is a junior technical writer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Shane Tilton Ph.D.

The junior technical writer will support the team with the collection and documentation of source materials. You'll assist the organization with editing and authoring various technical manuals. Also, you'll maintain the information architecture, set guidelines for the editorial tone, style, and voice of all content. Likewise, you'll create necessary documents as required. Asides from that, you'll produce and manage schedules to complete work as planned. Additionally, you'll perform additional duties as needed.

To become a junior technical writer, you need a bachelor's degree in a related discipline with two years of experience in a similar role. You must possess organization, attention to detail, communication, and proofreading skills. You must be proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe InDesign, and Illustrator. Also, you must be familiar with technical writing standards. Junior technical writers are paid about $50,023 in a year. Their salary falls between $37,000 to $68,000.

What's a day at work look like for a junior technical writer?

Shane Tilton Ph.D.Shane Tilton Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor of Multimedia Journalism, Ohio Northern University

This line of evidence is pointing to one central truth. Those that practiced multimedia journalism techniques before the pandemic will find success now. Also, organizations are looking for those graduates that can be a "one-stop-shop" for producing stories from home. I don't believe that trend will change. This trend also addresses the third question. Graduates are leaving colleges better prepared to use computer-mediated communication tools to complete their jobs' essential tasks. They understand how to be engaging and communicate effectively via their more contemporary communication tools.
ScoreJunior Technical WriterUS Average
Salary
5.6

Avg. Salary $71,199

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.35%

Asian 8.58%

Black or African American 6.44%

Hispanic or Latino 7.63%

Unknown 4.95%

White 72.05%

Gender

female 59.16%

male 40.84%

Age - 45
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45
Stress level
4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Junior technical writer career paths

Key steps to become a junior technical writer

  1. Explore junior technical writer education requirements

    Most common junior technical writer degrees

    Bachelor's

    74.5 %

    Master's

    11.1 %

    Associate

    9.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific junior technical writer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    SharePoint12.89%
    Subject Matter Experts12.43%
    Technical Specifications6.23%
    Technical Publications5.75%
    Security Clearance5.41%
  3. Complete relevant junior technical writer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New junior technical writers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a junior technical writer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real junior technical writer resumes.
  4. Research junior technical writer duties and responsibilities

    • Lead the effort in transitioning documentation from PDF delivery to HTML delivery system (using WebWorks) with advance search capabilities.
    • Manage SharePoint files, improve accessibility/centrality, and define user roles.
    • Help company achieve ISO registration by determining best practices, writing ISO compliant manufacturing instructions and teaching best manufacturing processes.
    • Handle all customer RFI and RFP requests.
  5. Prepare your junior technical writer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your junior technical writer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a junior technical writer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable junior technical writer resume templates

    Build a professional junior technical writer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your junior technical writer resume.
    Junior Technical Writer Resume
    Junior Technical Writer Resume
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    Junior Technical Writer Resume
    Junior Technical Writer Resume
    Junior Technical Writer Resume
    Junior Technical Writer Resume
    Junior Technical Writer Resume
    Junior Technical Writer Resume
  6. Apply for junior technical writer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a junior technical writer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first junior technical writer job

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Average junior technical writer salary

The average junior technical writer salary in the United States is $71,199 per year or $34 per hour. Junior technical writer salaries range between $54,000 and $92,000 per year.

Average junior technical writer salary
$71,199 Yearly
$34.23 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do junior technical writers rate their job?

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Junior technical writer reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2020
Pros

Diversified projects and project responsibilities.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Communication and completion. I like doing a complicated job and then finishing on time and within budget. Getting done and filing away, ready for the next project is the best.

Cons

Being forgotten in the rush. Complicated projects are an easy place to get left behind. I have to keep my name and voice in front of people or I get left out.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019
Pros

Set your own schedule work from home. Determine your own salary. Dictate your hours. Choose the jobs you want.

Cons

Could be paid more. Slow to get started very competitive.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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