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Technical writer vs proposal writer

The differences between technical writers and proposal writers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a technical writer and a proposal writer. Additionally, a proposal writer has an average salary of $68,706, which is higher than the $65,329 average annual salary of a technical writer.

The top three skills for a technical writer include technical documentation, subject matter experts and powerpoint. The most important skills for a proposal writer are subject matter experts, powerpoint, and business development.

Technical writer vs proposal writer overview

Technical WriterProposal Writer
Yearly salary$65,329$68,706
Hourly rate$31.41$33.03
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs75,09018,125
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

What does a technical writer do?

Technical Writers specialize in producing easy-to-understand instructional or informational written materials, such as media and journal articles, assessments and guidelines, and legal forms of documentation. For Technical Writers to develop well-versed content, one must conduct thorough research on the topic or idea to ensure factual legitimacy and communicate with those whose expertise aligns with the subject. Aside from producing, Technical Writers can also improve or convert complex written materials such as operating manuals or documents into one that can be easily understood by the general public.

What does a proposal writer do?

Proposal Writers help clients win contracts, grants from the government, or even permission to perform a consulting service. They must ensure that all important information is included in the paperwork and documents.

Technical writer vs proposal writer salary

Technical writers and proposal writers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Technical WriterProposal Writer
Average salary$65,329$68,706
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $87,000Between $48,000 And $97,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaVirginia
Best paying companyMetaPrecise Software Solutions
Best paying industryFinanceInsurance

Differences between technical writer and proposal writer education

There are a few differences between a technical writer and a proposal writer in terms of educational background:

Technical WriterProposal Writer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeUniversity of HoustonNorthwestern University

Technical writer vs proposal writer demographics

Here are the differences between technical writers' and proposal writers' demographics:

Technical WriterProposal Writer
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 49.7% Female, 50.3%Male, 38.5% Female, 61.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 71.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between technical writer and proposal writer duties and responsibilities

Technical writer example responsibilities.

  • Analyze the requirements of the RFP to understand the customer s solution needs and to identify potential discriminators for competitive advantage.
  • Manage consulting projects including UNIX installation and maintenance on various engineering workstation platforms.
  • Create and manage print and online documentation for Linux and web-base security software.
  • Manage security program for DoD classify magnetic media, classify documents and physical security systems.
  • Develop software requirements documents for proprietary medical software device; manage documents through SDLC in fda-regulate environment.
  • Help company achieve ISO registration by determining best practices, writing ISO compliant manufacturing instructions and teaching best manufacturing processes.
  • Show more

Proposal writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage proposals for DoD, aerospace, and commercial customers.
  • Manage prospective client information, proposal and marketing strategies through Salesforce.
  • Analyze contract documents, coordinate subcontractors and manage RFI s throughout cost proposal submission process.
  • Identify, plan, manage and respond to RFPs and RFIs from prospective clients, resulting in increase potential business.
  • Implement Salesforce for division and manage pipeline and post-award contract documentation.
  • Manage SharePoint file organization system and wiki cooperation sites to facilitate cooperation among internal and external proposal response participants.
  • Show more

Technical writer vs proposal writer skills

Common technical writer skills
  • Technical Documentation, 9%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 8%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Visio, 4%
  • SharePoint, 4%
  • Test Procedures, 4%
Common proposal writer skills
  • Subject Matter Experts, 12%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
  • Business Development, 6%
  • Proposal Content, 6%
  • Past Performance, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%

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