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What Does a Technical Writer Do? 2024 Career Guide

Learn more about what a technical writer does and the skills and education you need to begin your career.

[Featured image] A technical writer works from home and reads a book while at their desk.

Technical writers, also known as technical communicators, are responsible for explaining processes to consumers of various industries, such as health care and IT. As a technical writer, you communicate complicated ideas or instructions through guidebooks, manuals, brochures, or graphics. You’ll focus on communicating information and ensuring that it’s easy for the reader to understand. 

Keep in mind. Technical writing differs from creative writing because you’re responsible for communicating instructions or information to the consumer in a concise, simplified way. The language you use should be clear and professional and should represent the company and its goals.

What is a technical writer?

Technical writers are professional writers who produce instructions and how-to guides for consumers. Technical writers write the answers to frequently asked questions for businesses and work directly with their clients to accurately create and write content for them. 

Technical writer vs. content writer

Technical writers and content writers both use writing to communicate; however, the two roles are not the same. The biggest difference is the intention behind the writing. While content writers focus on selling a product or idea, technical writers are responsible for explaining a product or service.

Technical writing is objective. While creativity is necessary for simplifying complicated ideas, technical writing itself is unemotive and straightforward. Content writing focuses more on using your imagination to market a product to a consumer.

Another major difference between the two writing styles is search engine optimization (SEO). Content writers implement SEO as a way to reach an audience through keywords. Using keywords increases the chances of your article appearing in online search results. SEO is important for any kind of writing or selling of a product, however, as a content writer you are more likely to use it.

What does a technical writer do?

Technical writers communicate on behalf of a company. As a technical writer, you have many different tasks and responsibilities that differ based on your employer and what industry you work in. You’ll also be involved directly with researching, observing, and writing documents based on your research.

Technical writer tasks and responsibilities 

Your role as a technical writer has many different responsibilities depending on the field you work in. However, certain responsibilities exist across all technical writer roles. 

Common responsibilities include:

Simplifying documents: Technical writers take complex ideas and make them easy for people to understand. The simplification of documents and other materials allows consumers to digest the information more easily, as well as get their questions for the company answered.

Editing: You are responsible for editing and proofreading documents, manuals, and other written work given to you by your employer. Proofreading and editing are essential to making writing more concise and straightforward and preventing writing errors from being published.

Communicating: Technical writers must communicate through the written word. You also have to communicate with your coworkers, employers, and others. You get feedback from consumers and apply that information to what you’re writing.

Technical writer skills

You need specific skills to be a successful technical writer. First and foremost, you have to know the voice and goals of the company you are working for. As a writer, you are representing your employer by answering questions and creating important documentation on their behalf. 

Common technical writer skills include:

Writing: Technical writers are skilled in writing and often have a degree in English or a related field. Your resume or portfolio should include examples of your writing style but also state that you can adapt to the voice of the company you work for. 

Research: As a technical writer, you will participate in research and study on behalf of your client. An important skill to have is knowing how to apply the information gathered to your writing. The results of your research may impact your overall message and may include feedback from customers using the company’s product or service.

Collaboration: An important aspect of technical writing is working with your leaders, peers, as well as with consumers of the company’s product to understand their feedback. Writing itself is usually done by one individual at a time, but the processes leading up to writing are important in creating a good final product. 

Technical writer salary and job outlook

The median salary for a technical writer in the US is $78,060 as of May 2021, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [ 1 ]. The salary of a technical writer varies based on your location within the United States, your seniority, and your employer. 

The BLS predicts technical writer roles to grow 6 percent between 2021 and 2031, with approximately 5,400 job openings each year. There were 55,400 technical writers employed in 2021, and BLS projects that number to increase to 58,400 by 2031 [ 2 ].

Technical writer career path

A job in technical writing typically requires a bachelor’s degree and a writing portfolio. Your future employer may want to see your experience and writing abilities to determine whether you’re fit for the role. 

Education and training

To become a technical writer, employers will typically require at least a bachelor’s degree.  According to Zippia, 72.5 percent of technical writers have a bachelor’s degree and 11 percent with a master’s [ 3 ]. Relevant degrees include English, science, IT, finance, or business administration.

Associations such as the Society for Technical Communication and the American Medical Writers Association offer training and certifications for technical writers who wish to continue pursuing higher education and developing their skills. Certification or additional training is not typically required to become a technical writer, but it can help you in building your resume and fine-tuning your expertise.

Getting started with Coursera

If you’re ready to start your career as a technical writer, begin by enhancing your skills and gaining experience to build your resume. Explore Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order by the University of Michigan on Coursera to increase your knowledge and get more information about technical writing. Upon completion, earn a certificate to include in your resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile. 

Article sources

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Technical Writers , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm.” Accessed September 6, 2023.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Technical Writers: How to Become One , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm#tab-4.” Accessed September 6, 2023.

Zippia. “ How to become a technical writer , https://www.zippia.com/technical-writer-jobs/how-to-become-a-technical-writer/ .” Accessed September 6, 2023.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

Technical Writer

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technical writer career definition

What Is a Technical Writer? How to Become One, Salary, Skills.

 Technical writers create content like how-to guides and instruction manuals that accompany products, with the goal of providing good user experiences.  Here’s what to know about a technical writer’s salary, needed skills and how to become one.

What Is a Technical Writer?

A technical writer is someone who has writing and communication prowess as well as product expertise. They study target audiences to determine how best to communicate the technical aspects of a product and its features. Their work is not exclusively in written format. They may also need to help produce videos, illustrations and other visual communication.

What Do Technical Writers Do?

Technical writers craft concise communications that help both technical and non-technical users understand how to interact with products. They collaborate closely with people involved in product development and gather feedback from users to inform their process and figure out how to simplify complex concepts for written materials.

Technical Writer Responsibilities

  • Writing and editing technical documentation.
  • Producing videos, illustrations and other visual communications.
  • Conforming to style guides.
  • Conducting research and studying product samples. 
  • Collaborating with other teams and departments as they produce products and features that need documentation.
  • Learning about complex concepts and technical product aspects.
  • Collecting feedback from users.

Technical Writer Role Within a Company

Technical writers are available as needed to departments throughout an organization. They often collaborate closely with engineers, product teams and others who are directly involved in developing the products and features they’ll be drafting communications for. A technical writer may be responsible for users outside of the company, as well as putting together documentation for internal purposes.

Importance of a Technical Writer

Technical writers essentially serve as translators who make sense of high-level information and convert those details into a format that’s understandable to intended users.

What Skills Are Needed to Be a Technical Writer?

Qualifications to be a technical writer.

  • Ability to apply critical thinking skills to writing and communication.
  • Understanding of types of technical documentation and how to choose the right one.
  • Skilled researcher and editor.
  • Capable of quickly learning complex topics and communicating them to others.
  • At least one to two years of relevant experience.
  • Familiarity with common writing platforms and publishing software.
  • Efficient at collaborating across teams and departments.

Technical Writer Prerequisites

  • A bachelor’s or associate’s degree in a relevant field or from a technical writing or communication program.
  • Professional certification.

Technical Writer Hard Skills

  • Some jobs may require knowledge of coding languages like HTML, CSS, Python and Javascript.
  • Product research and audience analysis.
  • Proofreading skills and knowledge of relevant style guides such as the Chicago Manual of Style.
  • Proficient at using writing and publishing tools.

Technical Writer Soft Skills

  • Strong communication and collaboration skills.
  • Creativity and curiosity.
  • Managing time to meet project deadlines.
  • Organized and detail oriented.

Tools and Programs Technical Writers Use

  • Writing software and platforms like Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
  • Publishing software like Adobe RoboHelp and MadCap Flare.
  • Tools like Jira and Confluence for workflow and project management.

How to Become a Technical Writer

Technical writer education and experience.

Common majors for technical writers include English, journalism, communications, information technology and computer science. Some schools even offer technical writing specific programs. Depending on what field they work in, some technical writers enter the industry with an associate’s degree or no degree at all. These individuals may have lots of relevant experience, a strong writing portfolio and professional courses and certifications under their belt to prove their proficiencies.

Technical Writer Certificates and Courses

  • Technical Writing: Master Your Writing Career
  • Technical Writing: How to Write Software Documentation
  • Learn API Technical Writing: JSON and XML for Writers
  • Learn API Technical Writing 2: REST for Writers
  • Certified Professional Technical Communicator
  • Medical Writer Certified credential

Technical Writer Career Path

Recent graduates may be able to find an entry-level technical writing role such as an internship or junior technical writer position, but newcomers should expect to work at least one to two years before breaking into technical writing. Some also choose to become a UX researcher or junior UX designer before moving into technical writing. This route allows them to learn about UX research, design techniques and other areas that can give them a necessary understanding of interaction design and how users relate to products. As they advance in their career, technical writers can add senior to their job title or step into the role of managing a team of technical writers at a larger company.

Technical Writer Salary and Job Outlook

As of 2021, there were 55,400 technical writers employed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . That number is expected to grow by 6 percent for a total of 58,400 technical writers by 2031, with a projected 5,400 openings each year.

The full compensation package for a technical writer depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s experience and geographic location. See below for detailed information on the average technical salary.

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Home » Blog » What is the Technical Writer Career Path?

What is the Technical Writer Career Path?

technical writer career definition

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The technical writer career path usually starts with some experience in a technical field. That field can be anything from programming to engineering. 

Most organizations that hire technical writers tend to add a requirement for technical experience. It gives potential writers a unique perspective on the technical side of things. 

After a few years in a technical field, you can shift towards a technical writer career. It starts by understanding how technical writing works, different types of technical writing, and working on your writing skills. 

In this article, we’ll go over the various roles technical writers go through, along with how you can start your career. 

Let’s dive right in. 

What is the Technical Writer Career Path? 

If we are to break it down, the technical writing career path starts with a bachelor’s degree in a technical field. Using that degree, you get a few years of experience in a technical job. Then, you use that experience to develop complex technical documentation. 

However, having a bachelor’s degree is not a necessity in every industry. For example, if you work as a heavy maintenance professional, there’s a good chance you went to trade school. Or, you’re developing your skills while working. 

In any case, you have the skills and the knowledge for heavy maintenance without going to college. You can transform that experience by developing technical documentation, such as heavy maintenance checklists, manuals, and guides. 

Therefore, it’s not necessary to have a bachelor’s degree. The same applies to programmers and data experts that learn skills online. 

However, in all cases, having active work experience is a requirement. That experience can be with an organization or private projects in your portfolio. 

Furthermore, let’s say you’re already a technical writer but still a bit new to the field. As you move on in your technical writer career, you’ll have a few different paths. 

Typically, technical writers move on to become senior technical writers and technical writing managers (or technical content marketing managers). 

Another career path is where you can move on to become a technical writing editor or technical editor. 

Some organizations have specific job roles, such as documentation manager or API technical writer . 

That mostly depends on your industry and organization. Moving on, we’ll go over the typical technical writer career. 

Prerequisites for Becoming a Technical Writer 

Here’s a summary of the prerequisites for becoming a technical writer down to a few key points. 

  • Prior technical experience in the field you’ll be writing for. 
  • A college degree (or equivalent education) in the field you are specializing in. However, it’s not necessary in a lot of cases. 
  • Excellent writing skills are a must. A tech writer also needs a robust understanding of APA paper formatting and MLA style of writing. 
  • Prior experience in writing technical docs, how to guides, and supporting documents is helpful. 
  • Tech writers should have the ability to transform complex technical information and any technical subject into easy-to-understand technical documentation. 
  • A technical writing certification or course from a reputable source. 

Keep in mind that the requirements listed above are commonplace in most industries. However, each industry and organization will have its set of prerequisites and requirements. 

For example, medical writing may need a certification from the American Medical Writers Association. 

Similarly, technical writers in the information technology industry may need to show extensive continuing education programs in their resumes. 

A good way to go about it is to carefully research your industry. Then, decide what you want to specialize in. Research that specific pool to understand what prerequisites and requirements apply to you. 

What Does a Technical Writer Career Path Look Like? 

Regardless of what the industry is, the technical writer career follows a specific route. We’ll go over each job role in detail, along with their responsibilities and qualifications (in order). 

However, keep in mind that the job roles may have different names, depending on the industry and organization. 

Junior Technical Writer

As entry-level technical writers, your first role will be as a junior technical writer. This role can either be research-heavy or it can focus on writing only. 

For the most part, junior technical writers find source materials, data, and files for documentation. They also research documentation guidelines to assist the documentation process. 

Junior technical writers that focus their efforts on grant writing often specialize in that field. That puts them on a different career path towards grant writing. 

Typical Job Responsibilities 

The following are some common responsibilities of junior technical writers. 

  • Assist technical writers in writing technical documentation. 
  • Update existing technical content. 
  • Help senior technical writers in researching and developing guidelines. 
  • Work with the technical team to draft technical content. 
  • Develop reports using valuable and relevant user feedback. 
  • Edit how-to manuals and user guides to make them more user-friendly. 
  • Provide ideas on improving documentation. 

The junior technical writer position is usually a probationary role. 

Qualifications 

The following are typical qualifications that most organizations expect from junior technical writers. 

  • 0-2 years of experience in a technical background. 
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field. 
  • Excellent writing and technical communication skills and familiarity with various writing styles. 
  • Technical expertise in one or several fields. 
  • Familiarity with documentation guidelines, formats, and processes. 
  • Excellent project management, communication, and analytical skills. 

The qualification requirements for a technical writer are not that different. The difference is mostly in the overall level of experience. 

Technical Writer 

The next stage in the career path is the technical writer job. Technical writers have greater responsibility in managing organizational documentation. They develop internal and external documentation for employees and consumers. 

These documents can be white papers, journal articles, instruction manuals, press releases, technical reviews, technical tutorials, user guides, API documentation, and internal technical memos. 

The following are some of the primary responsibilities of technical writers. 

  • Write technical documents according to ongoing projects. 
  • Collaborate with multiple departments and technical staff to provide them with the necessary documentation. 
  • Research, draft, and edit technical content. 
  • Work with fellow subject matter experts to gather data and information. 
  • Provide solutions for improving research methods, data collection, and documentation processing. 
  • Develop project specifications and manage the documentation for organizational projects. 
  • Formulate internal guides and manuals to improve internal processes and departments. 

Keep in mind that your career path as a technical writer is different from your industry specialization. 

The following are typical qualifications that most organizations expect from technical writers. 

  • 1-2 years of experience in a technical role. 
  • Excellent writing and technical skills and experience in writing technical documentation. 
  • Ability to collaborate with other subject matter experts and internal team members. 
  • Proven technical expertise in relevant fields. 
  • Strong understanding of various documentations, writing styles, and formats. 
  • Completion of technical writing certifications and courses. 
  • Good technical communication skills. 

Industry-specific specialization will require additional qualifications. 

Senior Technical Writer 

The senior technical writer often imitates a managerial role but isn’t one. They need good managerial skills to manage and train junior staff. 

Senior technical writers are completely independent and usually write more complex technical documentation, such as technical support documentation, machine manuals, detailed scripts, and product guides. They’re also excellent technical communicators and can manage more complex projects. 

They also train technical writers and other junior staff to ensure maximum productivity from the team. 

The following are some common responsibilities of senior technical writers. 

  • Manage technical writers and junior technical writers. 
  • Train junior staff through regular training sessions. 
  • Write expert-level technical documents. 
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on projects. 
  • Create worksheets and manage multiple projects and tasks. 
  • Provide feedback to other writers and offer improvement exercises and tips. 
  • Work closely with the development team to ensure all relevant information reaches the final documentation. 
  • Edit the work of other technical writers. 

Senior technical writers often have different job titles in different organizations and industries. 

The following are typical qualifications that most organizations expect from senior technical writers.

  • 3-6 years of experience in a technical field. 
  • 4-5 years of experience as a technical writer. 
  • Master’s degree in a relevant technical field. 
  • Excellent leadership, team management, and project management skills. 
  • Ability to handle multiple complex projects. 
  • Deep understanding of writing styles, guidelines, and formats. 

The senior technical writer usually completes certifications and courses to update themselves on the latest industry trends. 

Technical Documentation Editor/Technical Editor 

The technical editor role often goes side by side with the senior technical writer role. A technical writer can choose to move towards a senior technical writing role or an editing role. 

This is where the technical writer career diverges into a different role. However, the next role in line is often the same for both. 

The technical editor proofreads, edits, revises, and regularly updates technical documentation. 

They need to ensure that all documentation follows the correct format and guidelines. On top of that, they also consistently check things like punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, and styling. 

The following are some common responsibilities of technical editors. 

  • Proofread, edit, revise, and update technical documentation. 
  • Fact-check all the information in the documentation. 
  • Review the writing process at different stages. 
  • Provide work templates and guidelines to writers. 
  • Offer regular feedback to writers to help them improve their work and efficiency. 
  • Commit to quality assurance tests for information in how to guides, manuals, and maintenance checklists. 

Some organizations may add managerial responsibilities to the mix too. 

The following are typical qualifications that most organizations expect from technical editors.

  • 3-6 years of experience in a relevant technical role. 
  • 4-6 years of experience in technical writing or editing. 
  • Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or English. 
  • Excellent understanding of the English language, documentation guidelines, and documentation formats. 
  • Strong skimming, editing, proofreading, and rewriting skills. 
  • Ability to quickly grasp technical information. 

At times, the roles of the technical editor and senior technical writer merge into one role, especially in smaller organizations. 

Additional Roles in the Technical Writer Career Path 

The roles above are easily detectable throughout the technical writing community. However, there are other roles within the technical writing career path, including the following. 

  • Documentation Manager – They’re technical specialists and experienced writers who understand and oversee the documentation development process entirely. Meanwhile, they plan, lead, and coordinate the technical team while organizing resources. They also manage the budget and delivery of technical assets. This role often comes after the senior technical writer role. 
  • Technical Writing Intern – The technical writing intern role is an entry-level technical writer role that serves as a gateway to becoming a junior technical writer. They spend most of their time learning about technical documentation and training to write them. 
  • Head of Technical Content – This role is only present in large organizations that have a sizeable technical team. The head of technical content manages and oversees all technical documentation projects. They provide the necessary assets, resources, and permissions that are necessary for preparing documentation. 

Other roles such as a medical writer, legal writer, or software technical writer are industry-specific roles. 

How Do I Become a Technical Writer? 

While getting into technical writing is possible in multiple ways, here’s a common path that most technical writers take. 

  • Get a Bachelor’s Degree – in a relevant technical field. 
  • Opt for a Technical Writer Certification – from a reputable source. 
  • Develop a Portfolio – of your technical writing samples and documentation. 
  • Focus on Your Professional Network – by connecting with the right stakeholders. 
  • Increase Industry Knowledge – of what you want to specialize in. 

On top of that, work on developing your technical writing skills. Technical writers work best when they focus on one niche and specialize in that. It also helps to further familiarize yourself with the technical side of things, in addition to your technical experience. 

Wrapping It Up 

The technical writer’s career path can vary depending on what industry you’re in. For example, if you’re in the finance industry, you can become a technical writer without having to go through a junior role. 

However, in more technical industries like the computer science industry, your career path will be relatively longer. 

In any case, the demand for technical writers in every industry will continue to increase. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for technical writers will increase by 12% in the next ten years. 

If you start with your technical writing career today, you’ll be opening yourself to countless new technical writer jobs. 

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What is Technical Writing?

What is Technical Writing?

Table of Contents

Traditional definition of technical writing, new definition of technical writing, how is technical writing different than business writing, what is the job of a technical writer, career outlook for a technical writer, types of technical writing, a day in the life of a technical writer, skills needed for technical writing, how to improve your technical writing skills, the world is a tech writer’s oyster.

Are you looking to understand what technical writing is and how you can become more proficient?

Technical writing continues to be a highly coveted skill in the professional workplace. Demand is expected to grow at 10% from 2014 to 2024. This is faster than the average for all occupations.

In this article, we cover the exact definition of technical writing. We also show you an average day for a technical writer, how to improve your skills when writing complex documents, and why the field is quickly changing.

What is technical writing? The traditional definition of technical writing is:

Technical writing is the practice of documenting processes, such as software manuals or instructional materials. Traditionally, it was limited to user manuals of some sort.

Frankly, this definition has become outdated. Technology moves quickly, and lexicographers are often left playing catch up.

Today, technical writing encompasses all documentation of complex technical processes. It includes reports, executive summary statements, and briefs. Any time technical information is conveyed in writing at work, it is, by definition, technical writing.

This can include high-tech manufacturing, engineering, biotech, energy, aerospace, finance, IT, and global supply chain.

The format is no longer bound to lengthy user manuals. Technical information must be distilled and presented unambiguously. This can come in the form of technical reports, emails, policy, briefs, and press releases.

The bottom line is if you work in a technical field you are most likely performing technical writing.

The new definition starts to sound a lot like the definition of business writing .

However, a business writer focuses on business plans, case studies, e-books, and sales/marketing collateral. They are experts in strategy and business management. 

In contrast, technical writers have a strong aptitude in the field of science, engineering, or IT. They are tasked with the compilation of technical documents such as instruction manuals and other instructional materials, guidebooks, technical product descriptions, and research reports.

There are quite a few differences between the two, which you can read about in this article .

young-woman-technical-writing-at-home

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The job of a technical writer will differ depending on the industry and company that they are employed with. But t he important task of a technical writer is taking the highly complicated and sometimes confusing subject matter, and putting it in a digestible format.

This is of particular importance in a variety of industries but specifically science or technology such as biotech, engineering, manufacturing, software, and healthcare. 

Technical writers often work on multidisciplinary teams functioning as the mediator between the more technical staff and less technical readers. They will work closely with these teams to develop a communications strategy.

Their responsibilities can extend beyond just writing. They must understand the entire project from high-level goals to the intricacies of implementation.

Educational experience for a technical writer can vary, but the majority of professionals hold a BA in English with an emphasis in writing, journalism, communications, curriculum development, IT, software/computer, or engineering. Some also possess an MA in technical writing. 

Technical-Writing-Guide-CTA

Over the past couple of years, the workplace has undergone a revolution in terms of how we communicate with colleagues, clients, and end-users. Due to fewer face-to-face meetings, technology , and the written word have become more important. This is a perfect platform for the burgeoning of the field of technical writing. 

Technical writing jobs are growing at a faster rate than average, at 12%. The salary range of a technical writer varies, but the average median wage is $61,671 . A technical writer is defined as one who authors descriptive manuals and guides as it relates to the complex subject matter. Job duties include:

  • Researching topics
  • Writing technical documentation
  • Editing for publications
  • Revising technical documents (guidebook, reports, brochures, articles)

Check out the summary table below highlighting the differences in types of technical writing and industries that need these documents:

At first, it may be overwhelming to see so many different types of technical documents. But each document uses a similar writing process and draws on an established set of skills. If you develop a process, you can apply it to any technical document you are creating.

technical-writing-leonardo-da-vinci-notebook

Many excellent writers are intrigued by the work environment of a professional technical writer . They find the quiet and tranquility of the atmosphere as a genuine job perk. Being alone with just a computer for researching and crafting documents through a technical writing process appeals to the introverted. Writers from all corners of the globe share their love for a job that can be more of a passion. 

When defining what technical writing is , it’s important to look at the persona of a technical writer and explore dominant character traits. Unsurprisingly, a professional in this field is marked as artistic and investigative . They are especially inquisitive. A fun fact is that Leonardo da Vinci is deemed the most famous technical writer of all time. Apparently, during the period of the Renaissance, he wrote ‘user manuals’ for his unique inventions.

As you further your understanding of technical writing and your technical knowledge, you may want to evaluate if it matches your personality type. It’s recommended to do a self-assessment and consider your personal strengths and talents when pursuing a new professional career.

To be a successful technical writer, there is a core set of skills that you will want to master. Here are some of the most common skills needed to be successful:  

Research is one of the first steps in technical writing. After you have an assignment, you will be responsible for collecting the data (numerical and non-numerical) and turning it into valuable information.

Research can come from a variety of places including:

  • On-Site Data
  • Online and Intranet Publications
  • Libraries and Research Databases

After you have researched, you will need to synthesize and begin planning your document organization.

Audience perception

The technical information you research and gather has to be shaped for reader interest, understanding, and perception.

Technical writers often have to communicate highly technical information to a non-technical audience. Therefore, an early step in the most effective technical writing process is analyzing your audience carefully so you can match information to their needs.

Communication skills

Communication skills are imperative to be a successful technical writer. You will likely be working with multiple teams and individuals from differing roles.

Your ability to listen, record, and communicate will be crucial.

Technical skills

It is imperative that you understand the technical nature of the content you are writing about.

It is difficult to convey a concept that you have not mastered clearly. Many technical writers have academic or work experience in the topic they are writing about and many technical writers have job titles of engineer, geologist, seismologist, financial analyst, or business analyst. They are employed in technical positions and have to summarize information cross-functionally to other areas of the company.

Technical writing is slightly easier if you come from the technical side and are learning to write. It is sometimes more difficult if your background is in writing and you are trying to learn the technical content.

Excellent writing skills ensure your documents are easy to read and are free of errors. Writing encompasses many of the other skills on this list.

It is important that you have the correct tone, style, and format for your document.

Often these rules are outlined by the employing organization in a style guide.

Document design

It is important that the graphics aid the reader in comprehending the information. Graphs, tables, and charts are commonplace in technical reports.

You will also need to be proficient in formatting documents. The formatting should be professional and aid the reader in navigating the document. Headings should be easy to skim, and the content should be organized logically.

A poorly designed document will make it more difficult for the reader to understand the content. Document design is a key aspect of technical writing.

Fluency with digital tools

Today, writers must use multiple tools during the technical writing process. This often goes beyond basic text editors. Technical writers are expected to be able to create graphics and annotate images and screen captures and extract data from Excel and convey that data in charts and tables.

User research and testing

Some forms of technical writing may require user research and testing. An example application where detailed research and testing would be appropriate is a written guide instructing engineers how to fix a faulty mechanism on a deep ocean oil rig.

It is important that the documentation is easy to follow, especially if the application is crucial to a major function. To accurately write the guide, the writer may first observe how engineers solve the problem. They may use recording devices or just notes to write down the research. This type of research is closely related to testing.

Testing is necessary to ensure your document functions as intended.

After the writer has completed a draft of the document, they may give it to a test group to read. They can then observe the end users following the instructions in real-time.

They may follow up with a focus group or survey to get feedback on the usefulness of the document. They will use these real-world insights as they revise the document.

Even in less complex or critical applications, it is always a good idea to have a third party read over the text. This helps combat the curse of knowledge. The curse of knowledge is a cognitive bias that an individual has when trying to explain something they already understand. As an expert, it is hard to put yourself in the shoes of a learner who is less experienced.

This is why having a second set of eyes look at the document can help alert you to areas that need to be improved. 

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Write any technical document and get instructor feedback and live coaching on your actual writing.

Our technical writing course is available for individuals and groups.

Here are several ways to improve your overall technical writing skills:

One of the best ways to become a better writer is to read. Reading helps you train your brain to understand how to write. The more you read, the easier writing will become for you.

It is critical that you are reading relevant and high-quality documents. Look for documents produced by competitors or writers in related industries. Examine their writing to determine how they organize information through written text.

Create a process

Having a process keeps you from “getting stuck” while writing. Having a clear workflow will help you systematically accomplish your work. We teach a specific process for technical report writing in our technical writing course .

Seek feedback

Getting subjective and objective feedback on your writing is one of the fastest ways to improve your skills. That is why we emphasize individual feedback in all of our courses.

To improve your writing, you need someone to review not only the grammar and syntax but also your approach and methods as a writer.

To truly master technical writing you need to get feedback from a mentor. This may be someone in your organization or through a professional development group. Another great option if you are taking an online course is working with your instructor to improve your writing techniques.

Take a course

Taking a class can be one of the most efficient ways to boost your writing skills quickly. You want to ensure you are enrolling in a course that specializes in technical writing.

It is imperative that the course includes one-on-one feedback and instruction. If you are considering taking an online course (or hiring an instructor to conduct an on-site or virtual workshop) make sure to check out our guide on how to choose an online business writing course .

Repetition is the key to cementing your new skills. Look to incorporate new concepts into your work. You can even review old work to critique what you would do differently if you were to write the document today.

Verify that the course you take includes practice opportunities. For example, does the course require you to map the organization and sequence of a technical document? Since this is a core technical writing skill, you want to make sure you get professional feedback on your ability to do this.

Now that you know precisely what technical writing is , it is an easy path forward. For the curious, educated, and lover of being alone with a laptop and cup of joe, you may view the prospect of a technical writer as the perfect gig. 

The future is bright and the availability of job opportunities is wide. This is the ideal position for those seeking a second promising career or fresh out of school and in search of a writing position that holds great promise. For professionals who claim techno-savvy combined with writing prowess, this is a time of opportunity. Check out the multitude of job openings and job titles in technical writing spanning industry segments. 

Online courses can help you become a stronger technical writer, increase your knowledge level, and hone excellent writing skills. To get ramped up ASAP, enroll in a special technical writing course tailored to aspiring and seasoned technical writers. 

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Home › Career › What Does a Technical Writer Do? › Essential Technical Writing Skills [2024]

Essential Technical Writing Skills [2024]

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Technical writing skills are constantly changing with the growing needs and demands of technology. The ability to identify the exact skills that can help you advance in your technical writing career is difficult. That’s why, in this article, we will discuss the top in-demand technical skills, what they entail, and how to hone them in 2024.

If you’re interested in learning more via video, then watch below. Otherwise, skip ahead.

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Technical Writer Skills

Technical writers are constantly expanding their skill set considering the need of the time—the digital age. Since their career is growing, the demand for a diverse set of technical skills is also rising. 

Following are the top technical writing skills every technical writer should possess in 2024: 

Communication Skills

First and foremost, technical writers are technical communicators. They’re experts at identifying/adapting their communication according to the knowledge and understanding of their audience. 

To that end, a technical writer should work on polishing the following communication skills include:

  • Clarity— Technical writers are cohesive, concise, and clear in their verbal and written communication. 
  • Purpose— Before their interaction with the audience, they are well aware of why it is crucial to communicate in the first place, the purpose of what they are sharing, and what problems they are aiming to resolve for the end-users.
  • Openness— They deliver an overall positive tone in their message, avoiding all sorts of patronizing and negative remarks or instructions. 
  • Confidence—F or their content to be trusted, they avoid hesitancy to pursue knowledge.
  • High Regard for Ideas and Opinions of Others— A technical writer serves the audience. Therefore, they respect their audience’s perspectives and needs by incorporating them in their technical communication.

Furthermore, a technical writers’ role involves actively listening and planning before contributing to the verbal or written discourse. 

Technical Skills

Technical skills are a broad term used to understand industry-specific technology (including their product and services). 

Even though many technical writers pursue their higher education in a technical field (such as engineering or information technology), the technical skills of a technical writer refer to their technical knowledge of their subject matter of interest. 

The technical skills of a writer are just an expanding ocean of knowledge in different fields of their interest and the interests of their company. 

However, on a general note, a few in-demand technical skills include:

  • Project Management
  • Product Development
  • Programming Languages 
  • User Experience (UX) Design

Senior technical writers are also good at document management through various productivity software. 

Research Skills 

A technical writer’s process cannot begin without extensive research. They document each technical document through feedback from end-users and subject matter experts. 

However, for a more precise overview, technical research can be divided into these two broad categories:

  • Audience Analysis— This is the research they conduct throughout the process for certain technical content. The approach involves understanding the target audience, including demographics, level of technical knowledge related to the product, and interests and needs. 
  • User Experience— The experience includes the readability of technical documentation after the product or feature has been launched (such as usability testing, which explains how easy it is to use a product for the target users).

Whereas everything else in the research process pertinent to the scientific conduction of the research is a prerequisite for every technical writer (such as metrics, data collection, and data analysis).

Writing Skills

Since technical writers must write different types of technical content, they must have a flexible approach to and knowledge of different styles.

The most common types of content that they must know how to create include:

  • User Manuals— Often used interchangeably with the broader terms, online help or user guides, these are documents containing instructions for end-users on how to use a particular product or process.
  • Technical Reports— These are reports that maintain complex information about a specific product in an understandable format, including its development, progress, and history. 
  • Policies and Procedures— These include documenting guidelines for the appropriate usage of industry assets and technology to ensure a safe and productive work environment. 
  • Case Studies— are documents that explore end-users interaction with the product and analyze complex technical information for future improvements.  

Additionally, technical writers should write and manage their content on specific tools, such as Microsoft (MS) Word, RoboHelp (for help files), and FrameMaker (for formatting), etc.  

Essential technical writing skills

Editing Skills

Besides skills, technical writers can analyze their work, edit, and format critically, and consistently improve until the technical information becomes entirely understandable for the desired audience. 

While editing a technical draft, technical writers should consider the following:

  • Proofreading
  • Content review 
  • Spelling and punctuation
  • Structure and style
  • Tone of voice
  • Technical vocabulary

Overall, they ensure that their document follows the exact format and guidelines of the specific technical content at hand.

If you’re interested in learning more about editing technical documentation and other technical writing skills, check out our Technical Writing Certification Course.

Design Skills 

It is important to remember that technical writers communicate technical information in a written format and visually in graphs, infographics, and videos. Writers make the content more appealing and easily digestible for the user. 

Considering that, some of the in-demand design skills a technical writer needs include:

  • Information Design —The ability to visually and verbally represent information (including facts, graphs, statistics, tables, and figures) in the most accessible way, understood by the specific audience.
  • Information Architecture— The ability to structure and organize information in the most user-friendly way. 
  • Typography— The ability to arrange and present written word most appropriately and legibly depending upon the type of technical document. 
  • Basics of Graphic Design— The ability to visually communicate complex information in the form of helpful illustrations. 

The above skills need the knowledge of widely used design software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

Even though technical writing jobs are assumed to be desk jobs, most technical writers must work with employees from all departments and diverse target audiences. 

Therefore, every good technical writer knows how to work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds and areas of knowledge and expertise. 

When it comes to teamwork, a technical writer should have the following skillset:

  • Team Building Skills— Technical writers are active listeners, observant, and they make sure every voice of authority shows with feedback incorporated in their consultation and process.  
  • Conflict Resolution Skills— When it gets hard to understand product language, team members, and target audiences, and they fall into disagreements, they’re quick at resolving them by finding different ways to communicate anything that the audience misunderstood.  
  • Problem Solving Skills— The ability to promptly derive innovative solutions to problems that arise in their process. 
  • Decision-Making Skills— They are good at trusting their instincts and competence, making calculated but firm decisions when finding solutions for end-users.  
  • Planning and Organizational Skills— They know how to plan, structure, and manage different technical documentation projects and deliver them timely. 
  • The Art of Persuasion— To find common ground with developers and subject matter experts, and for their say to be valued, it is essential to have influence. 

Apart from the above, individuals must possess tolerance, empathy, and perseverance to navigate through the technical writer job function smoothly and successfully apply their skillset. 

Develop Your Technical Writing Skills 

Now that we’ve listed the essentials technical writing skills, the question arises, how to hone them? 

Here are a few actionable steps you can take to improve or acquire technical writing skills:

  • Complete Your Education —Technical writers are encouraged when they possess a bachelor’s degree in a technical field such as engineering, information technology, or communications (Journalism, or English). 
  • Take Different Courses and Training Programs —You can quickly learn many skills such as technical writing and graphic design skills through online or onsite courses. It is wise to with investing in a class. 
  • Follow the Professionals— It is essential to look at all the resources from subject matter experts from your field of interest, including their books, guides, articles, and training programs. 
  • Research Your Field —To consistently improve your skills, you must have access to good technical content resources, which means you’ll have to stay updated with your industry. 
  • On-the-Job Training— There are a lot of employers that are willing to give training to technical writers for them to understand how things work within their organization. However, it is equally important to show them your enthusiasm and dedication. Put together a compelling technical writer resume and go for it.

Again—all you need is the determination to become a technical writer, and the technical skills will follow with appropriate investment. 

Final Thoughts 

The list above of technical writing skills is comprehensive enough for anyone to acquire or improve them. 

However, before you begin, you must remember, technical writers do not write for the sake of technology, but for one and only one purpose alone, to make technology accessible. 

Therefore, if you’re considering a career in technical writing, make sure to with the right mindset. 

If you are new to technical writing and are looking to break-in, we recommend taking our Technical Writing Certification Course , where you will learn the fundamentals of being a technical writer, how to dominate technical writer interviews, and how to stand out as a technical writing candidate.

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Why Every Technical Writer Should Have Goals

Different types of career goals for technical writers, proficiency and knowledge goals, process and efficiency goals, collaboration and networking goals, visibility and influence goals, leadership and management goals, what makes a good career goal for a technical writer , career goal criteria for technical writers, mastery of technical skills.

  • Adopt Cutting-Edge Authoring Tools
  • Enhance Documentation Design Skills
  • Stay Current with Industry Trends

Audience-Centric Approach

  • Identify Key User Personas
  • Gather Regular User Feedback
  • Adapt Content for User Clarity

Strategic Collaboration

  • Master Product Knowledge
  • Enhance Team Communication
  • Develop Documentation Strategy

Industry Expertise

  • Master Technical Jargon
  • Engage with Industry Trends
  • Develop Niche Expertise

12 Professional Goal Examples for Technical Writers

Master technical communication tools, expand knowledge in a technical domain, develop project management skills, strengthen collaboration with subject matter experts, enhance user experience (ux) writing skills, adopt content strategy best practices, pursue a professional technical writing certification, contribute to open source documentation projects, lead documentation process improvements, mentor junior technical writers, write and publish technical articles or a blog, learn a programming language.

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Career Goals for Technical Writers at Difference Levels

Setting career goals as an entry-level technical writer, setting career goals as a mid-level technical writer, setting career goals as a senior-level technical writer, leverage feedback to refine your professional goals, utilizing constructive criticism to sharpen writing skills, incorporating user feedback to enhance documentation relevance, leveraging performance reviews for strategic career development, goal faqs for technical writers, how frequently should technical writers revisit and adjust their professional goals, can professional goals for technical writers include soft skill development, how do technical writers balance long-term career goals with immediate project deadlines, how can technical writers ensure their goals align with their company's vision and objectives.

What is a Technical Writer?

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More Professional Goals for Related Roles

Crafting compelling narratives, engaging audiences with powerful words and ideas

Crafting compelling narratives to drive brand engagement and consumer action

Shaping narratives, refining content to captivate audiences and uphold brand voice

Shaping compelling narratives, driving engagement through strategic content creation

Shaping brand narratives, driving engagement through compelling digital content

Shaping compelling narratives, refining content to engage readers and boost visibility

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