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Job outlook for technical writers in the United States
Technical writer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected technical writer job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 3,100 new jobs for technical writers are projected over the next decade.
Technical writer salaries have increased 7% for technical writers in the last 5 years.
There are over 23,634 technical writers currently employed in the United States.
There are 75,090 active technical writer job openings in the US.
The average technical writer salary is $65,329.
Are technical writer jobs in demand?
Technical writer job and salary trends over time
Technical writer jobs over time
Technical writer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23,634 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 24,286 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 25,208 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 25,012 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 24,841 | 0.01% |
Average technical writer salary over time
Technical writer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $65,329 | $31.41 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $63,754 | $30.65 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $62,879 | $30.23 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $62,074 | $29.84 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | $61,129 | $29.39 | --0.6% |
Technical writer jobs by state
Most common states for technical writers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 216 | 31% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 921 | 17% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 159 | 17% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 128 | 17% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 299 | 16% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 118 | 16% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 840 | 15% |
| 8 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,749 | 14% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 118 | 14% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,349 | 13% |
| 11 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 879 | 13% |
| 12 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,389 | 12% |
| 13 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,243 | 12% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 432 | 12% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 348 | 12% |
| 16 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 243 | 12% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,445 | 11% |
| 18 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 711 | 11% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 660 | 11% |
| 20 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 654 | 11% |
Most common cities for technical writers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 32 | 81% | $70,547 |
| 2 | Dover | 8 | 21% | $58,740 |
| 3 | Hartford | 8 | 6% | $63,658 |
| 4 | Topeka | 8 | 6% | $58,439 |
| 5 | Tallahassee | 9 | 5% | $52,111 |
| 6 | Washington | 29 | 4% | $77,948 |
| 7 | Des Moines | 8 | 4% | $48,330 |
| 8 | Little Rock | 8 | 4% | $54,126 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 14 | 3% | $64,095 |
| 10 | Baton Rouge | 7 | 3% | $57,024 |
| 11 | Boston | 12 | 2% | $75,506 |
| 12 | Sacramento | 8 | 2% | $85,890 |
| 13 | Urban Honolulu | 8 | 2% | $57,683 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 11 | 1% | $46,861 |
| 15 | Phoenix | 10 | 1% | $65,866 |
| 16 | San Francisco | 10 | 1% | $86,857 |
| 17 | Denver | 9 | 1% | $63,888 |
Technical Writer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of technical writer experts
Grand Valley State University
University of Miami
University of Missouri - Kansas City
Tusculum University
Manhattan College
Adrian College
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Colorado Mesa University
Truman State University
Berry College
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Kean University
University of South Alabama
University of Kentucky
Pepperdine University
University of Rhode Island
Milwaukee Area Technical College
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Nicole Walker: My main advice is to show potential employers how it's done!
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Paul Cook: English is way more than just the study of literature. English majors learn how to read, write, and speak well—three essential and timeless skills that will serve you well in your professional lives, in a knowledge economy, and in the (post)digital era.
Laurence José PhD
Associate Professor of Writing and Director of the Digital Studies MinorGrand Valley State University
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Laurence José PhD: The easy answer here is writers write. But admittingly this can mean different things since writing takes different forms and involves different tasks. At the minimum, writing requires reading, brainstorming, drafting, and editing. But it can also require tasks such as conducting field research, analyzing data and documents, providing and receiving feedback, conducting interviews, tailoring content to different media, etc. In other words, what a writer does on a day-to-day basis is highly dependent on the genre(s) in which they write and the context in which they work. Whether one identifies as a creative writer, business writer, or technical writer, a writer creates and shapes meanings that must appeal to a specific audience in a specific context.
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Jaswinder Bolina Ph.D., M.F.A.: Salary follows success. If you invest yourself deeply and fully into whatever sector you find yourself in, whatever postgraduate degree you decide to pursue, you will become the kind of rare and original thinker the world needs and that employers reward. Be yourself and pursue your passions, and if you’re stuck in a job that doesn’t match those passions, then figure out a way to bring them into that space. Or find someplace else to work. We don’t always have the luxury of the latter option, but we do always have a chance to bring what we love to whatever it is we happen to be doing, whether writing our own novels and poems, working on PowerPoint presentations and white papers, or slinging coffee or cocktails. Your job isn’t you, so shape your job to fit the person you really are and the person you hope to be.
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Antonio Byrd PhD (he/they): English majors should be open to many possibilities. There's a tendency to lean into 'traditional' careers like teacher, editor, or publisher. But writing in general is needed across multiple industries, from nonprofits seeking grant writers to tech companies seeking technical writers or content designers.
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Anna Mae Duane: The idea that English majors are not in demand is a myth—don’t harm your own chances by buying into it! There are numerous studies—and countless employer testimonies—that indicate how valuable your skills as an English major are. English majors consistently find work in a variety of fields, and perhaps even more important, alumni of English departments report that they find their jobs and lives rewarding. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 'what sets two equally qualified job candidates apart can be as simple as who has the better communication skills.' You are, in many ways, ahead of the game in comparison to others in your cohort. I’d also urge English majors to think broadly about their career options. Yes, fields like journalism, publishing and advertising all rely on the skills developed in English departments. But other employers, particularly in tech companies, have realized how valuable English majors can be to their organization. As a recent report in Fortune indicates, top executives in AI at IBM and elsewhere realize that having expertise in the Humanities is an essential component for success in their field.
Vicky Johnson Bós
Associate Professor of EnglishTusculum University
English Language And Literature
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Vicky Johnson Bós: In order for a new college graduate to be successful in a career, they should have done/should do the following:
* Take advantage of an internship for practical experience
* Seriously consider a Master's Degree
* Have a portfolio of personal work to show during interviews
* Collect business cards of people in your future job market and network!
* Have a polished, professional resume`
What Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Vicky Johnson Bós: Students should be very familiar with using AI in responsible, informed ways to further their writing and research. Having people-skills will never go unused. Good writing and technological skills will become even more in demand with the growth of new, unexplored job markets.
What will help Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Vicky Johnson Bós: Have practical experience in that field through a summer job, internship, or access to expertise. Getting a Master's Degree or even a PhD can greatly influence salary potential. Be aware that you may have to take a 'starting' job at less of a good salary to get practical experience to make the leap to a better paying job.
Dr. Heidi Laudien Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorManhattan College
English Language And Literature
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Dr. Heidi Laudien Ph.D.: I do not feel equipped to give informed advice on how to maximize one's salary potential.
What Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Heidi Laudien Ph.D.: I think it is important for graduates to be flexible and welcome challenges. It is critical for students to be confident in their academic foundation. An English related field will undoubtedly require strong critical thinking and writing skills. To that end, it is important to read and practice one's craft daily.
What will help Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Heidi Laudien Ph.D.: I do not feel equipped to give informed advice on what skills might be necessary in the next 3-5 years.
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Dr. Christy Mesaros-Winckles Ph.D.: Diversity in both experience and writing styles is essential. Aspiring graduates aiming for careers in professional writing should possess proficiency across various writing styles, ranging from business communication to journalistic reporting. Additionally, they should be well-versed in the prevalent style guides across diverse disciplines.
What Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Christy Mesaros-Winckles Ph.D.: Writers need to stay up-to-date on developments in language-model AI programs like ChatGPT and effectively utilize these tools to their advantage. Ongoing education is also going to be crucial as content knowledge and creativity will increasingly become what differentiates content written by AI from that written by a human being. By staying up to date on trends and developments in their industry writes can ensure that regardless of technological advancements, their depth of content knowledge remains superior to the cookie-cutter content generated by AI.
What will help Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Christy Mesaros-Winckles Ph.D.: In the next few years, it will be imperative for writers to excel not only in generating original ideas but also in their prowess as editors. With the increasing integration of language-model AI tools in various workplaces, what distinguishes an outstanding writer from a mediocre one is their ability to leverage AI as an editing aid. Graduates wanting to enter writing-intensive careers will need to also effectively craft an elevator pitch to prospective explaining how their contributions as a writer provide distinctive, creative value that surpasses what AI can independently produce.
What Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ann Amicucci Ph.D.: As we continue to face a glut of digital information in our daily lives, the ability to connect with an audience in meaningful ways through writing will become increasingly important. No matter what field you work in, you'll have a message to get across to someone else. Your English degree will help you consider the humanity of that message: Who is on the receiving end? What state of mind are they in when they're considering what you have to say? What state of mind do you hope to put them in? Being a compassionate and conscientious communicator who thinks critically about how a message comes across will help you stand out in the coming years of information overload.
What will help Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Ann Amicucci Ph.D.: A college degree opens so many doors, so keep an open mind about the career paths you can pursue with a degree in English. Say you're interested in a career in publishing. Think broadly about the types of publishing companies you apply to: in addition to those that publish novels or nonfiction books you read, expand your search to include textbook publishers, religious publishers, and publishers of children's books. Also, consider what other companies would give you experience that will make you competitive for a publishing job. You might apply to grant writing jobs or social media management positions and use that writing experience as a stepping stone into the publishing world. Make sure to visit your college's career center for advice on where to look for job openings.
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD
Associate Professor of EnglishColorado Mesa University
English Language And Literature
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD: Skills that are becoming important and prevalent over the next 3-5 years would include an ability to work with artificial intelligence, an ability to collaborate, and the ability to communicate.
What Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD: In terms of general advice, students just entering the career field after graduating should apply far and wide. In other words, I would suggest that students not limit themselves because they might be surprised where they can land a job. With that said, they should still tailor their application materials for the job that they want, instead of just sending out the same materials again/again.
What will help Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD: Skills that are becoming important and prevalent over the next 3-5 years would include an ability to work with artificial intelligence, an ability to collaborate, and the ability to communicate.
What Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Adam Davis: At just this moment, getting a living wage is the priority, rather than maximizing salary. You need to get some experience that will let you move outward and upward from that first position. Your goal is a full-time position with bennies, one that uses your gifts. In letters of application and in interviews (REHEARSE for those) -- remember to talk about your hard skills and soft skills - prospective employers are not going to ask. Individualize the application for each job you really want, and think hard about what's most useful to that employer - talk about their needs, rather than why the position would serve your needs and interests. Have a story ready that illustrates how you made use of each trait you're claiming.
What will help Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Adam Davis: Work with emergent media; learn how to work words beyond writing: podcasts & video, web design, social media, blogging. These are skills easily acquired through YouTube and of great interest to employers. AI is not to be feared, but to be understood and used, and employers are going to be interested when you tell them you know how to make it work for them.
Whitney Adams
Visiting Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and WritingBerry College
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Whitney Adams: An individual entering the writing field may do the following tasks daily:
1. Researching and brainstorming ideas for new articles, stories, or projects
2. Writing and editing content for various platforms, including websites, blogs,
newspapers, magazines, or social media
3. Pitching ideas and articles to editors or clients
4. Conducting interviews with sources for articles or stories
5. Collaborating with other writers, editors, and team members
6. Reviewing and editing drafts of their work
7. Engaging with readers and followers on social media
8. Marketing and promoting their work
9. Attending writing workshops, events, or networking opportunities
10.Keeping up to date with industry trends and news in the writing field
What Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Whitney Adams: 1. Demand for content: With the rise of digital marketing, social media, and online
publications, there is a high demand for content creators and writers. Companies need
quality written content to attract and engage their audience.
2. Remote work opportunities: Writing is a flexible profession that can often be done
remotely. This allows writers to work from anywhere in the world, making it a great
profession for those who value freedom and flexibility.
3. Growth potential: As a writer, there are many opportunities for growth and
advancement. Writers can specialize in different niches, such as copywriting, technical
writing, or content marketing, and can continue to develop their skills and expertise over
time.
4. Passive income potential: Writers can also generate passive income through
avenues such as self-publishing books, creating online courses, or starting a blog. This
allows writers to earn money even when they are not actively working.
5. Creative fulfillment: For many people, writing is a fulfilling and rewarding profession
that allows them to express their creativity and share their ideas with others. Writing can
be a way to inspire, educate, and connect with others on a deeper level.
Overall, writing is a good profession to enter now because of the high demand for
content, remote work opportunities, growth potential, passive income potential, and
creative fulfillment it can provide.
What do people dislike about being a writer?
1. Writer's block: Writer's block is a common challenge that many writers face,
where they struggle to come up with new ideas or find inspiration.
2. Criticism and rejection: Writing can be a vulnerable and subjective art form, and
writers may face criticism or rejection from publishers, readers, or reviewers.
3. Isolation: Writing can be a solitary pursuit, and some writers may find the
isolation challenging.
4. Inconsistency: Writing can often be unpredictable in terms of income and
success, with some writers facing financial
What will help Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Whitney Adams: The day-to-day activities of a writer can vary depending on the type of writing they are
engaged in (e.g., fiction, non-fiction, journalism, technical writing, blogging, copywriting,
etc.). However, some common tasks that writers may engage in daily include:
1. Researching and brainstorming ideas for writing projects
2. Writing and drafting content
3. Editing and revising drafts
4. Collaborating with editors, clients, or other team members
5. Conducting interviews or gathering information for articles or stories
6. Pitching ideas to publications or clients
7. Managing deadlines and keeping track of assignments
8. Promoting their work through social media
9. Networking with other writers, editors, or industry professionals
10.Reading and staying current on industry trends and developments
11.Creating and editing project manuals
12.Creating and editing instructional guides
Randall Auxier
Professor of Philosophy and Communication StudiesSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Randall Auxier: Being the writer in your workplace can be seriously enhanced by the ability to do animation, illustration, graphics, charts, and to create good-looking documents with publishing software (e.g., Indesign). Being only the writer is limiting by comparison. Working with images of all kinds is almost as important as the writing.
What Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Randall Auxier: Writers have to be patient about this. The fields that were once supporting writers (e.g., journalism) have dried up. No one gets paid much for this kind of work any more. The best strategy is to seek a position that has upward mobility and become a writer in the fashion described above. You have to be good at it, of course, to increase your value to a company. Being sure that you are credited for everything you do, in the text, is very important, in creating a portfolio that makes you mobile. People will let you go uncredited unless you insist on being credited. Here you really must be bold. You are not moving your career forward unless you are credited for everything you do. No one can reasonably deny your request to be credited, so insist on it.
What will help Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Randall Auxier: At first it isn't going to be any fun. Writing is something every office needs --and being the person in the workplace who can do that provides a secure niche. You need not start in a job that has writing as one of its main requirements; rather, you take what you can get and then work your way into the writing role --any time something needs to be written, volunteer to do it. Soon you'll have more than you can handle. At this point, look for ways to get your writing seen as yours, newsletter, liaison with the communications office for your workplace, etc. Being known by your co-workers as a writer can lead all kinds of places, although not usually toward management. It's opportunity to write increasingly important things that counts as upward movement.
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Frank Argote-Freyre: I always tell my students that a good writer never goes hungry. We emphasize writing in History and that is one of the reasons a History degree is valuable. As a corollary to that, research skills are important. The ability to identify sources of additional information that provide nuance to an employer is a valuable asset to bring to the workplace.
What Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Frank Argote-Freyre: It is important to take part in a variety of internships prior to entering the workplace. You need to invest in yourself. Many of these internships might provide no pay or low pay but they are essential to gaining experience. This will allow a candidate to begin their career search with experience in the field. This makes them a more valuable asset to an employer. Language acquisition is also important. US society is diverse so the ability to reach more diverse language communities is a big plus.
What will help Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Frank Argote-Freyre: There is no substitute for hard work and determination. While doing that it is also important to consider other employment options. Networking is a key to that -- a new graduate needs to understand their job marketplace and think strategically about where they fit into that broader landscape.
What general advice would you give to a Technical Writer?
Doris Frye: Employers consistently tell us that effective communication is both a skill in high demand and one that is often lacking in employees. English majors enter the workforce with exceptional communication and critical thinking skills that are already valued. With the explosion of A.I., these skills will become even more important; English majors' facility with language will become all the more essential. The tools themselves require advanced communication skills; there are already jobs related to A.I. writing. Significantly, while those tools can be useful in a variety of ways, there are limits when it comes to voice, originality, accuracy, and even clarity. The ability to adapt and respond to these AI tools will be essential going forward for those with English degrees.
What Technical Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Doris Frye: Employers consistently tell us that effective communication is both a skill in high demand and one that is often lacking in employees. English majors enter the workforce with exceptional communication and critical thinking skills that are already valued. With the explosion of A.I., these skills will become even more important; English majors' facility with language will become all the more essential. The ability to adapt and respond to A.I. tools will be essential going forward for those with English degrees.
What will help Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Doris Frye: An English degree is exceptionally versatile. While some will go into education, many fields value this degree. When looking for jobs, focus on searching based on employers looking for potential employees with skills in communication, research, and critical thinking rather than just those seeking an English degree. The opportunities are extremely wide: the government, advertising companies, law firms, and almost any industry that requires technical writing skills will all value a degree in English.
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director of Bachelor of Liberal StudiesUniversity of Kentucky
Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies
What soft skills should all Technical Writers possess?
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.: A maintained and active social media presence will publicly demonstrate your writing abilities while also helping you to connect with other writers and job opportunities. As a writer, you always want to be writing, and Twitter is writing, Instagram is writing, etc. They can also be places to announce your current projects. You can only write so much on a resume, but social media allows you to amplify your abilities and keep a record of your work.
In addition to developing your writing ethos, you will have to have a good sense of time management and the ability to focus. You will more than likely be working on several projects simultaneously, with different due dates and requirements. Keeping them all straight and delivering your work on time is critical to acquiring projects in the future. We don't all have the same organizational methods, so you need to know how you work and what workflows are best for you. Then you will need to fine-tune those methods, live with them, make them part of you so that they become part of that writing style you are honing. Writing doesn't always come easy and fast, so the more you can develop a strong sense of organizational skills that are adaptable to the different projects you work on, the more you can manage the requirements of different jobs.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Technical Writers?
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.: I mentioned developing unique research skills as an important part of your resume, but to me, it is the single most important hard skill for a content writer. You often won't have a lot of time and will have to start a project from scratch. Moving from general information to more specific sources and knowing how and when to do this will make you stand out as a writer who has important things to say. You have to think of your writing as always persuasive, no matter what you are working on. You are telling a story, and you have a specific audience that needs to hear that story. The more specific you can make that story, the better your information and the more unique your approach to the topic will be. Make your writing stand out.
The second is probably the ability to edit your work. I teach many students who tell me they aren't very good at editing their own work. Most likely, it is because they don't like to read their own work. Become a fan of writing; what I mean by that is read writing for the writing itself. Develop a sense for the style of other writers, but most of all, enjoy your own writing. Read your own writing, silently and out loud. Listen to how it sounds, your word choices, your rhythm, the cadence. When something sounds off, you will be able to revise it. Editing does not just mean typos or grammar mechanics (although, it is definitely that as well). This all leads back to developing your own style and brand of writing.
What will help Technical Writers increase their earning potential?
Lisa Smith Ph.D.: Highlight the skills you are already proficient in, such as critical thinking, creating engaging content, or working with others. Be open to writing in fields you may not have originally envisioned as a potential avenue of work for you, such as business writing or technical writing. Emphasize any writing you have done for the web and social media that has engaged a diverse or extensive audience. Highlight how a writing degree allows you to develop a range of communication skills during an undergraduate program, and share any experience you have with using AI for crafting the best text possible.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Writers?
John Pantalone: I don't think we have any idea what the long-term effects of the pandemic will be either in economic terms, health terms, or employment terms. It is much too soon to tell. Everything depends on what the government does, how corporations respond to the changing economic climate and evolving technologies. In the field of journalism, everything is up in the air and it will be years before we have a good idea of how journalism will evolve and survive.
What's a good job out of college for Technical Writers?
John Pantalone: At this point, at the risk of being sarcastic, any job is a good job. The real answer is that it depends on the field you plan to go into and what you consider a good job. A livable wage with reasonable benefits is part of the equation; the other part is whether you genuinely enjoy the work.
What technical skills for a Technical Writer stand out to employers?
John Pantalone: Hard to say. I'm sure good computer skills are important in any job, but so are strong communication skills. If by technical skills you mean software programs, etc., it again depends on the nature of the job/work. Knowledge of basic software, social media platforms, data interpretation all seem important now.
Kevin Pulz
Academic Department Chair/Senior Producer-Director, Milwaukee PBSMilwaukee Area Technical College
Television and Video Production/eProduction- Milwaukee PBS
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Writers?
Kevin Pulz: There's no doubt that the pandemic has and will continue to have a clear impact on current college/university students and upcoming and recent graduates. The way things are 'done', for example, has been redefined in a fashion that in some ways makes traditional broadcast production unrecognizable. Studio camera operators have been replaced by fixed computer camera lenses for Zoom calls; efforts to collect high-quality audio have fallen to camera mics at best, and poor computer mics at worst in order to distance audio operators from talent or interview subjects; studio productions are a shell of what they once were; sports and event programming have diminished in frequency or disappeared altogether.
However, while many facets of media and broadcasting have seen a degradation of quality, content continues to flow. Rethinking the production process is not a bad thing, rather a challenging one. Local broadcasters may not be enjoying the large production teams they were before the pandemic, but viewing has not abated. Streaming content has exploded as it offers flexibility in accessibility to viewers and all of a sudden episodes of long forgotten shows appear quite palatable.
The landscape of these industries are evolving. The challenge is to be able to adapt to that evolution, all the while ensuring that high-quality skills remain attainable and sharp for the time when viewers no longer passively accept muddy or choppy looking video content on their 4k home screens.
What technical skills for a Technical Writer stand out to employers?
Kevin Pulz: What skills AREN'T desirable to employers? Video Editors need to be motion graphics stars as well. Videographers are more valuable if they are photojournalists or video essayists in addition. On-line content mediators and creators are in demand as corporations that once flew in employees for training are finding all sorts of benefits to creating visual media locally and sharing globally.
There's no substitute for solid production skills and strength in technology as a whole; but there's a voracious appetite for cutting edge approaches to content treatment, acquisition and delivery. Possessing the ability to deliver on both the audio and video quality we've come to expect as well as the promise of developing fresh modes of content creating utilizing new and exciting technologies positions anyone early on their career well for long-term success in a rapidly challenging and exciting world of media.
What's a good job out of college for Technical Writers?
Kevin Pulz: Broadcasting is still, strangely, considered a glamor field in so many ways. Little do people realize that cable wrapping and happily executed grunt work are essential talents that often separate the job recipient from the 5 interviewees and 95 applicants for a gig that pays less than fast-food work, even with a college degree.
So a good job out of college is ANY job in the field. Being 'in' and demonstrating one's ability in a professional environment remains key to opportunity in the future.
That said, it's clear that an area of media that's ripe for growth is multiplatform content delivery. It's in the wheelhouse of recent graduates based upon age and media consumption habits and, with traditional broadcast audiences growing older, an aspect of content creation that promises to grow even more legs as distribution methodologies develop and mature.