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Tech Writer Schools, Salaries, and Job Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tech Writers Job Overview A tech writer creates, designs and writes technical documents. He/she is responsible for the creation of documentation for a technical, consumer and business audience. Tech writers write documents which are authentic, concise and easily comprehensible. Tech Writers Schools and Degrees To become a tech writer, one must obtain a degree in any science subject, engineering or business. Job Requirements Tech writers usually abide by the common guidelines of publishing. They need to follow the formatting rules of the customary style guide. Most tech writers in the U.S. adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style. While working on projects related to the field of engineering, like those on aerospace related subjects or defense, tech writers stick to the international and national standards of documentation. Tech writers need to conduct research to add more substance to their documents. In addition, a tech writer should have a good command over the language so he can analyze and create the technical material in a comprehensible and concise manner. It is essential for tech writers to have a firm grasp over their subject matter and enjoy the job of writing. Curiosity and creativity is also necessary, but perseverance is essential in order to excel as a tech writer. Other qualities required in tech writers are a good sense of judgment and the ability to handle pressure. Nature of Work Tech writers make product documentation like operation manuals, project proposals and catalogs. Largely employed in the IT industry, tech writers prepare instructions for online help and documentation of programs on computers. Many need to work with engineers in order to create manuals for design and engineering equipment, which would help users operate those machines. Tech writers work as part of a writing or project development team. Upon completion of the drafting process, a tech writer may consult a peer for verification. Besides, tech writers plan and supervise the preparation of diagrams, charts and illustrations during the preparation of a technical document. Tech writers generally work in comfortable and well lit offices. Though they mostly maintain regular hours at work, deadlines and urgent projects may occasionally force them to work overtime. Also, working with computers over long stretches may result in stress and other physical ailments. Tech Writers Jobs and Outlook There were about 49, 000 tech writers in the U.S. in 2006. Employment in this sector is expected to grow by twenty percent in the next ten years. Industries employing the highest numbers of tech writers are:
The mean hourly wages of technical writers is around $30.18, while the average annual earnings are $62,780. Job Numbers and Growth Nationally, there are 49,000 tech writers. The occupation is characterized by a very high joblessness level. The unemployment rate for employees was 8% in 2008. Area Job Conditions Looking at tech writers per capita, Warner Robins (Georgia), Framingham (Massachusetts), and Lowell (Massachusetts) rise to the top of the list. Columbia (South Carolina), Greensboro (North Carolina), and Nashville (Tennessee) have the fewest per capita. The highest salaries for workers are in and around San Jose (California), Framingham (Massachusetts), and San Francisco (California). The lowest-paying areas are Springfield (Missouri), Missoula (Montana), and Port St. Lucie (Florida). Training and Education Successful employees find it useful to have a bachelor's degree. According to recent surveys, 74% of tech writers had received a degree. Workers with some schooling beyond high school, but not a college degree, total about 18%. A high school degree was all that was needed for 7% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career. Part-Time Work and Self-Employment Tech writers working less than full time, whether by design or chance, were 7% of the total. If you have this occupation and work on your own rather than for another company, you are part of the 6% of workers who do so. Tech Writers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings) In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation. Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Thanks to CityTownInfo.com for this tech writer schools and jobs info. |
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