Also called: Technical Communicator, Documentation Specialist
Writes manuals, guides and instructions that explain complex machines and software in clear language.
You interview an engineer about a new industrial printer, try running it yourself, and write the step-by-step guide technicians will follow. You draw diagrams and test whether a new user can follow your instructions without help.
Approximate May 2024 figures.
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 engineering, English or technical communication.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Technical Communication, English, Engineering.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). Approximate projection.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI writes first drafts of manuals and help docs, so fewer writers are hired; testing products and making content accurate stay human.
Classes: English composition, Computer science, Physics, 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.