Also called: Documentation Engineer, API Writer
Writes the guides, tutorials, and reference docs that explain how software works.
You interview engineers about a new feature, try it yourself, and turn what you learn into clear step-by-step docs. A good writer here is the reason other developers fall in love with a product.
BLS technical writers median about $91,670 (May 2024); software firms pay toward the higher end.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in English, communications, or CS; writing samples matter most.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: English, Technical Communication, Computer Science, Journalism.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). BLS projects slow growth for technical writers.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI drafts docs straight from code, so fewer writers are needed; testing instructions and explaining tricky ideas stay human.
Classes: AP English Language, AP Computer Science Principles, Journalism.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-3042.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.