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What is a technical writer/trainer and how to become one
Technical writers/trainers are responsible for preparing instruction manuals and articles with the main goal to communicate complex, technical information more easily. They determine the needs of technical documentation users and work with technical staff to make products and instructions easier to use. They also write or revise supporting content for products and collect user feedback to update and improve content. Technical writers/trainers earn an average salary of $71,000 annually or $34 per hour.
Technical writers/trainers are professionals who understand and communicate the technical aspects of a digital product to both highly technical and non-technical users. They continuously edit and revise content to ensure users have the best possible experience with a changing digital product. They also create documentation and education materials to boost user experience on a digital platform.
Technical writers/trainers typically hold a bachelor's degree in English, communication, journalism, software engineering, or other related fields. They are expected to have some years of experience as a writer or in a similar role. Some employers prefer candidates who are experts at writing for both technical and non-technical audiences.
What general advice would you give to a technical writer/trainer?
Thomas Reynolds
Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, University of Minnesota
Technical writing and communication require that students are comfortable with technology and communication and that they adapt to changing situations. I think there are also opportunities for savvy graduates who can offer certain skills and experiences that are unique to the changing situation. This field has a long history of resilience for its graduates seeking jobs in tough circumstances.
Avg. Salary $62,509
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 6%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.35%
Asian 8.58%
Black or African American 6.45%
Hispanic or Latino 7.64%
Unknown 4.95%
White 72.04%
Genderfemale 51.36%
male 48.64%
Age - 45American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 45Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Technical writer/trainer career paths
Key steps to become a technical writer/trainer
Explore technical writer/trainer education requirements
Start to develop specific technical writer/trainer skills
Skills Percentages Training Materials 12.18% Technical Documentation 6.26% Training Programs 5.88% Subject Matter Experts 5.68% Training Documentation 3.23% Complete relevant technical writer/trainer training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New technical writer/trainers 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 technical writer/trainer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real technical writer/trainer resumes.Research technical writer/trainer duties and responsibilities
- Create wikis, develop and manage SharePoint sites, and regularly manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Instruct representatives on how to maximize functionality of relational database to effectively manage their sales territories and expenses.
- Proofread and edit preliminary test scripts.
- Develop the application using Java, HTML, and S.Q.L.
Prepare your technical writer/trainer resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your technical writer/trainer 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 technical writer/trainer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable technical writer/trainer resume templates
Build a professional technical writer/trainer 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 technical writer/trainer resume.
Apply for technical writer/trainer jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a technical writer/trainer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first technical writer/trainer job
Are you a technical writer/trainer?
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Average technical writer/trainer salary
The average technical writer/trainer salary in the United States is $62,509 per year or $30 per hour. Technical writer/trainer salaries range between $45,000 and $86,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do technical writer/trainers rate their job?
Technical writer/trainer reviews
Diversified projects and project responsibilities.
Needing to continually explain to supposedly more educated persons the basic writing and grammar mistakes when proofreading.
people not providing accurate information
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.
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.
Updated January 8, 2025
