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Technical Writers

Also called: Documentation Specialist, Information Developer, Technical Communicator, Technical Writer

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What they do:
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
On the job, you would:
  • Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
  • Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
  • Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.

Knowledge

Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics
Business
  • administrative services
  • management
Communications
  • multimedia

Skills

Basic Skills
  • writing things for co-workers or customers
  • reading work related information
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by writing
  • read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
  • use rules to solve problems
  • order or arrange things

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include creating, designing, and making your own rules.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation
  • Independence
  • Initiative

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Web platform development software
  • Microsoft ASP.NET Hot Technology
  • Oracle JavaServer Pages JSP Hot Technology
Web page creation and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Google Sites
Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud software Hot Technology
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 4 of 5)
associate's degree or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$78,060
$48,890
$125,010
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about technical writers.