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.
Technical writer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real technical writer resumes:
- 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.
- Edit HTML and CSS properties to change properties of content being display, or to create custom widgets.
- Utilize DITA, HTML, SGML, XHTML, and CSS to structure information efficiently for corresponding output channels.
- Redesign outdated internal directory website to be fully responsive with HTML, CSS, and PHP using a custom CSS layout.
- Secure classified information from DOD technical manuals and naval facilities to produce reports used for evaluating cost-effectiveness of aircraft weapon systems
- Prepare written materials for DHS senior leaders.
- Create graphics, and capture screen shots using PhotoShop and xview.
- Develop eLearning courses, learning curriculum, course content, and instructional aids.
- Maintain corporate tone and voice and maximize SEO in how-to and troubleshooting articles.
- Work with SMES and regulatory representatives to follow up on gaps and verify information.
Technical writer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Technical Writers are proficient in Technical Documentation, Subject Matter Experts, and PowerPoint. They’re also known for soft skills such as Imagination, Technical skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Technical Writers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Technical Documentation, 9%
Designed and developed the technical documentation needed for supporting the Technical Services and Application Development groups of the Information Technology department.
- Subject Matter Experts, 8%
Scheduled and coordinated meetings with subject matter experts and other cross-functional teams on multiple documentation projects that I managed simultaneously.
- PowerPoint, 6%
Developed sophisticated PowerPoint presentations for cross-departmental meetings.
- Visio, 4%
Diagram these transactions using VISIO files into Adobe InDesign C26.
- SharePoint, 4%
Edited and published the technical articles and developed engineering documents for the knowledge-base SharePoint for internal and access-specific external users.
- Test Procedures, 4%
Developed and implemented standards for documenting program specifications, test procedures, software procedures, and other contract deliverable documents.
"technical documentation," "subject matter experts," and "powerpoint" are among the most common skills that technical writers use at work. You can find even more technical writer responsibilities below, including:
Imagination. The most essential soft skill for a technical writer to carry out their responsibilities is imagination. This skill is important for the role 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 resume shows how their duties depend on imagination: "created, per fda requirements, all inspection procedure documents for incoming inventory and all manufactured medical device products. "
Technical skills. Another essential skill to perform technical writer duties is technical skills. Technical writers responsibilities require that "technical writers must be able to understand complex information." Technical writers also use technical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "converted technical word documents into isi writer format enabling company to produce paperless fda approved documentation for new processes and products. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of technical writers is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday technical writer duties, as "technical writers create instructions for others to follow." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "prepared detailed technical documentation, compliant with fda regulation 21 cfr part 11. "
Writing skills. technical writer responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "technical communicators must have excellent writing skills to be able to explain technical information clearly." This resume example shows what technical writers do with writing skills on a typical day: "performed technical writing efforts for fda systems validation (sop's and system functional requirements). "
The three companies that hire the most technical writers are:
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Compare different technical writers
Technical writer 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, technical writer responsibilities require skills like "technical documentation," "subject matter experts," "visio," and "sharepoint." Meanwhile a typical publisher has skills in areas such as "customer satisfaction," "strategic thinking," "client facing," and "publishing industry." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Publishers earn the highest salaries when working in the telecommunication industry, with an average yearly salary of $69,908. On the other hand, technical writers are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $65,889.publishers tend to reach similar levels of education than technical writers. In fact, publishers are 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Technical writer 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 responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "technical documentation," "visio," "sharepoint," and "test procedures." Meanwhile, an editor has duties that require skills in areas such as "video content," "seo," "facebook," and "editor-in-chief." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Editors earn a lower average salary than technical writers. But editors earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $62,170. Additionally, technical writers earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $65,889 annually.In general, editors achieve similar levels of education than technical writers. They're 1.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for technical writers in the next 3-5 years?
Mark Lounibos
Associate Professor, English, Finlandia University
Technical writer vs. Associate editor
The primary role of an Associate Editor is to ensure that subordinates submit high-quality content. They review and edit copies, set deadlines, and supervise the production details of magazines, newspapers, books, or websites.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from technical writer resumes include skills like "technical documentation," "subject matter experts," "visio," and "sharepoint," whereas an associate editor is more likely to list skills in "wordpress," "seo," "edit content," and "twitter. "
Associate editors earn the best pay in the media industry, where they command an average salary of $53,230. Technical writers earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $65,889.Most associate editors achieve a similar degree level compared to technical writers. For example, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Technical writer vs. Assistant editor
An assistant editor is an individual responsible for assisting an editor-in-chief or editor-at-large of a newspaper, magazine, radio program, or website. Assistant editors hold meetings with staff and freelance writers to discuss new, fresh and original content for projects on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. They review assignments handed in by writers or reporters for sense, accuracy, readability, and content. Assistant editors must also utilize new media applications such as Twitter and Facebook to draw attention to an article or cause.
Types of technical writer
Updated January 8, 2025
