Occupation Summary

Technical Writers

O*NET 27-3042.00

Description:

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

Annual Wages:
$81,502.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 16.57%.
Education Level:
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)

  1. Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
  2. Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
  3. Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
  4. Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication.
  5. Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding.
  6. Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
  7. Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail.
  8. Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
  9. Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedure and detail.
  10. Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material.
  11. Assist in laying out material for publication.
  12. Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.
  13. Review manufacturer's and trade catalogs, drawings and other data relative to operation, maintenance, and service of equipment.
  14. Draw sketches to illustrate specified materials or assembly sequence.
  15. Develop or maintain online help documentation.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Technical Writers employed Annual Growth Rate
Computer systems design and related services 16.9 1.36
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services 7.2 1.48
Employment services 7 0.27
Scientific research and development services 6 0.61
Architectural, engineering, and related services 5.3 0.69
Software publishers 4.3 1.23
Electronic instrument manufacturing 2.2 0.00


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $39.18
2024 National average hourly wage $44.39
2022 National employment 53,300
2022 Texas employment 5,406
Texas projected employment by 2032 6,302
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 560




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
96.20%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
85.80%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
75.20%
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
65.00%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
64.80%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
63.40%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
63.20%
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
62.60%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
59.60%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
58.60%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
97.60%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
82.40%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
75.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
75.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
72.40%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
65.00%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
62.40%
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
62.40%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
60.00%
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
60.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
85.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
82.40%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
80.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
77.60%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
75.00%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
75.00%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
72.40%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
67.60%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
67.60%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
67.60%


  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    -- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    -- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Other Activities


  • Independence
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Working Conditions
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.



Tools

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital cameras: Compact digital cameras;

High capacity removable media drives: Universal serial bus USB flash drives;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Scanners: Computer data input scanners;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: SAS;

Application server software: GitHub;

Cloud-based data access and sharing software: Microsoft SharePoint;

Computer aided design CAD software: PTC Creo Parametric; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks; Autodesk AutoCAD;

Computer based training software: Adobe Captivate;

Configuration management software: IBM Rational ClearCase; Perforce Helix software;

Content workflow software: Atlassian JIRA;

Data base reporting software: Oracle Business Intelligence Discoverer; Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS; SAP Crystal Reports;

Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft SQL Server; Microsoft Access; Structured query language SQL; Talisma Knowledgebase; Author-it; FileMaker Pro;

Data mining software: IBM Cognos Business Intelligence;

Desktop communications software: ParentSquare;

Desktop publishing software: PTC Arbortext; MadCap Software MadCap Flare; Microsoft Publisher; Corel Ventura; Adobe FrameMaker; Adobe InDesign;

Development environment software: Darwin information typing architecture DITA; IBM Rational ClearQuest; Microsoft Visual Basic; Standardized general markup language SGML;

Document management software: Adobe Acrobat;

Electronic mail software: IBM Notes; Microsoft Outlook;

Enterprise application integration software: Extensible markup language XML;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP Business Objects;

File versioning software: Git;

Financial analysis software: Oracle E-Business Suite Financials;

Graphical user interface development software: Adobe RoboHelp;

Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Photoshop; Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Creative Cloud software; Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite; Corel Paint Shop Pro;

Instant messaging software: Blink;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Medical software: Epic Systems;

Object or component oriented development software: Oracle Java; Objective C;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Process mapping and design software: Microsoft Visio;

Project management software: Microsoft Project; Atlassian Confluence;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Video creation and editing software: Apple Final Cut Pro;

Web page creation and editing software: Adobe Dreamweaver; Google Sites; JustSystems XMetaL; Quadralay WebWorks ePublisher;

Web platform development software: PHP; Oracle JavaServer Pages JSP; Microsoft ASP.NET; Hypertext markup language HTML; JavaScript; Extensible hypertext markup language XHTML; Drupal; Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML; Cascading style sheets CSS;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Technical Writers include:
  • 15-2051.02 Clinical Data Managers
  • 15-2051.00 Data Scientists
  • 15-1299.03 Document Management Specialists
  • 27-3041.00 Editors
  • 17-3012.00 Electrical and Electronics Drafters
  • 13-1111.00 Management Analysts
  • 13-1082.00 Project Management Specialists
  • 43-9081.00 Proofreaders and Copy Markers
  • 19-4061.00 Social Science Research Assistants
  • 27-3043.00 Writers and Authors


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about technical writers, visit: American Medical Writers Association
  • National Association of Science Writers
  • Society for Technical Communication
  • CareerOneStop

  • For a career video on technical writers, visit: Technical writers
  • Technical Writers

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.