What does a technical writer and editor do?

A technical writer and editor is primarily responsible for producing written content that defines and explains technical concepts to inform and educate readers. As a writer, it is essential to research and fact-check details to ensure the material's accuracy and value. They mostly follow directives and complete materials within an allotted deadline and format. Moreover, as an editor, they must also review and proofread materials for any errors and inconsistencies, perform corrective measures, and revise as needed.
Technical writer and editor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real technical writer and editor resumes:
- Manage content development and consistency utilizing exemplary editing and proofreading skills.
- Identify and initiate wholesale computer upgrade to accommodate new CMS while allocating and managing staff resources devote to developing the software.
- Develop self running media presentations and eLearning content.
- Update Microsoft Visio diagrams displaying customer site computer hardware.
- Experience in updating revisions to DoD technical and programmatic documentation.
- Provide quick proofreading, production editing, and developmental editing.
- Design Visio flow charts and plan-o-grams for various logistical applications.
- Convert networking documentation from a proprietary source to FrameMaker files.
- Transition department from editing on paper to editing online in FrameMaker.
- Certify the functional accuracy of windows compatible weapon employment planning tools.
- Promote content accessibility by maintaining effective metadata structure in SharePoint knowledge management library.
- Maintain and organize updated documentation on SharePoint site by programming areas and teams.
- Consult with SMEs and test software in sandbox environment to determine user-operation procedures.
- Interview SMEs and technical staff to gather and develop business requirements for web-base applications.
- Assist upper-level management with drafting internal communications, including emails, proprietary documentation, and PowerPoint presentations.
Technical writer and editor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Technical Writer And Editors are proficient in Technical Documentation, PowerPoint, and Technical Specifications. They’re also known for soft skills such as Imagination, Technical skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Technical Writer And Editors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Technical Documentation, 8%
Review training material for program to ensure accuracy of material and concurrence with operation and maintenance instruction provided in technical documentation.
- PowerPoint, 6%
Modified graphics and text with documentation development tools to create PowerPoint presentations for the training of installation engineers.
- Technical Specifications, 6%
Planned, organized, analyzed, and interpreted technical specifications prepared by engineers to determine appropriate content for documentation.
- Subject Matter Experts, 5%
Accomplished at coordinating with subject matter experts and editing their documents to help communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely.
- DOD, 5%
Ensured all documentation met contractual obligations, DoD documentation requirements, US Navy documentation requirements, and followed ISO:9001 requirements.
- Engineering Drawings, 4%
Compared technical graphics to schematics and other engineering drawings to verify accuracy, request and incorporate specific updates.
"technical documentation," "powerpoint," and "technical specifications" are among the most common skills that technical writer and editors use at work. You can find even more technical writer and editor responsibilities below, including:
Imagination. One of the key soft skills for a technical writer and editor to have is imagination. You can see how this relates to what technical writer and editors do because "technical writers must think about a procedure or product as if they are someone who does not have technical knowledge." Additionally, a technical writer and editor resume shows how technical writer and editors use imagination: "authored daily satellite operations manuals with adobe creative suite software photoshop & in design, ms word and visio. "
Technical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling technical writer and editor duties is technical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "technical writers must be able to understand complex information." According to a technical writer and editor resume, here's how technical writer and editors can utilize technical skills in their job responsibilities: "researched and validated hardware maintenance procedures for the dcgs-mc technical manual. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of technical writer and editors is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday technical writer and editor duties, as "technical writers create instructions for others to follow." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "make corrections on technical orders as per the equipment specialist requirements.great attention to detail.learned gml and sgml. "
Writing skills. A big part of what technical writer and editors do relies on "writing skills." You can see how essential it is to technical writer and editor responsibilities because "technical communicators must have excellent writing skills to be able to explain technical information clearly." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical technical writer and editor tasks: "experienced in writing and editing industrial operating and maintenance procedures. "
The three companies that hire the most technical writer and editors are:
- Northrop Grumman16 technical writer and editors jobs
- Peraton8 technical writer and editors jobs
- Pegasystems6 technical writer and editors jobs
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Technical writer and editor vs. Publisher
A publisher manages the design, editing, and production process with the help of proofreaders, printers, and editors. Publishers make schedules for every stage of the process and work backward from the planned date for publication. They distribute promotional catalogs to libraries and booksellers. They set the commercial and editorial direction for businesses publishing newspapers, digital content, magazines, and books. It is their duty to make decisions on the markets that their firms will serve as well as the type of content that they will give to their audience.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between technical writer and editors and publisher. For instance, technical writer and editor responsibilities require skills such as "technical documentation," "technical specifications," "subject matter experts," and "dod." Whereas a publisher is skilled in "customer satisfaction," "strategic thinking," "client facing," and "publishing industry." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Publishers tend to make the most money working in the telecommunication industry, where they earn an average salary of $69,908. In contrast, technical writer and editors make the biggest average salary, $63,553, in the technology industry.The education levels that publishers earn slightly differ from technical writer and editors. In particular, publishers are 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a technical writer and editor. Additionally, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Technical writer and editor vs. Editor
An editor is the one responsible for polishing and refining a story, article, and any material for publication in newspapers, magazines, books, or websites. Editors have the power to either accept or reject a material as they need to ensure that every manuscript which will be offered for publishing is at the best version as it can be. There are several types of editors, from copy editors, books to managing editors, but they have few skills in common, like strong writing skills, good judgment, and leadership abilities to help guide the whole editorial team. Most of them work in the office, but it is quite becoming more regular for them to work remotely.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, technical writer and editor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "technical documentation," "technical specifications," "dod," and "engineering drawings." Meanwhile, an editor has duties that require skills in areas such as "video content," "facebook," "editor-in-chief," and "twitter." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Editors may earn a lower salary than technical writer and editors, but editors earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $62,170. On the other hand, technical writer and editors receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $63,553.In general, editors achieve similar levels of education than technical writer and editors. They're 3.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for technical writer and editors in the next 3-5 years?
Mark Lounibos
Associate Professor, English, Finlandia University
Technical writer and editor vs. Writer
A writer can have different responsibilities depending on which industry or line of work they are involved. There are writers assigned in a corporate setting, some in journalism, while there are also writers in the entertainment Industry. Although they focus on varying types of writing, they all function to inform. Among the typical duties of writers involve producing content within allotted time or deadline, gather information and verify to ensure accuracy, proofread, and undergo review and revisions.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, technical writer and editors are more likely to have skills like "technical documentation," "technical specifications," "dod," and "engineering drawings." But a writer is more likely to have skills like "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "basic math," and "customer service."
When it comes to education, writers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to technical writer and editors. In fact, they're 3.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Technical writer and editor vs. Production editor
A production editor is responsible for checking publication materials before printing and distribution to ensure error-free and accurate content. Production editors must have excellent writing communication skills to perform editing and proofreading of materials efficiently, following strict requirements of publication deadlines. They also verify the resources of content, as well as identifying highly requested feature opportunities by coordinating with writers and other industry personalities. A production editor negotiates contract offers for writers, provides feedback reviews, and facilitates brainstorming sessions.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between technical writer and editors and production editors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a technical writer and editor might have more use for skills like "technical documentation," "technical specifications," "subject matter experts," and "dod." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of production editors require skills like "editorial production," "production process," "production schedules," and "fiction. "
Production editors enjoy the best pay in the media industry, with an average salary of $61,163. For comparison, technical writer and editors earn the highest salary in the technology industry.In general, production editors hold lower degree levels compared to technical writer and editors. Production editors are 5.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of technical writer and editor
Updated January 8, 2025











