Technical Writer Jobs

Technical writers take highly technical, complex information and break it down so that it's easily understandable for everyone. Technical writer jobs are available in many different fields, such as computers and engineering, but they're particularly important in the medical field. Medical technology can be incredibly complicated and jargon-heavy, so the technical writer’s job is invaluable in making sure patients and consumers understand important information.

Job Description

Medical technical writers consult with medical technology experts and conduct research to get raw technical data. After they've collected all of the technical information, they arrange it in a logical pattern and simplify the language so the average reader can understand it. Technical writers may also determine whether the material needs graphs, charts or diagrams.
 
Successful technical writers have outstanding written and verbal communication skills. They must also be detail-oriented and good problem-solvers. The technical writer should be comfortable working with computers and other complex electronic equipment, and needs a strong understanding of the medical technology field.

Salary Guide

In the US, the median technical writer salary was $61,620 per year in 2008. Most technical writers earn between $47,100 and $78,910 annually, and those just starting out can expect a starting salary of around $36,500. With additional training and experience, many technical writers can eventually earn upwards of $97,460. Job prospects are good for technical writers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, technical writing jobs are expected to grow faster than average between 2008 and 2018, at a rate of 18 percent.

Education, Training and Work Experience

At the very least, the technical writer job requires an Associate’s degree in medical technology and a certificate in technical writing. Certificate programs can usually be completed in a year and are made up of six to eight courses, including:
  • Business writing
  • HTML
  • Internet writing
  • Publishing
  • Software writing
  • Technical editing
 
However, job prospects are often better for candidates who have a Bachelor’s degree in technical writing, especially if it is paired with a minor in medical technology or other technical field.

Career Advancement

Technical writers advance in their careers by taking on larger, more complex projects and assuming more responsibility. They may also be promoted to a supervisory position, managing or training a staff of less experienced writers. Some technical writers decide to launch their own freelance writing business.

Related Associations and Groups

Many groups and associations are available to technical writers. They include:
  • Association for Business Communication
  • IEEE Professional Communications Society
  • National Association of Science Writers
  • Society for Technical Communication.
 
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