What Does a Technical Writer Do?

Many companies have technical writers, but you may not think too much about them. Yet, when you're using a product manual, reading a how-to or following step-by-step instructions, a technical writer made that possible. These writers are responsible for creating clear content to help people understand information in a user-friendly way.

What Does a Technical Writer Do?

From the user manual that comes with your car to the directions on the back of a child’s new toy, tech writers are behind a lot of the writing that makes both everyday and complicated tasks a little easier.

“In a nutshell, a technical writer takes complex information and transforms it into consumable content based on the user’s needs,” said Tami Love, a communication instructor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). "Very few products or services can be consumed without some information and/or instruction. The documentation is just as important as the product or service that it documents."

In addition to teaching at SNHU, Love is a senior technical writer with hands-on industry experience. She is also in her third year serving on the admin councilor for the Society of Technical Communication's Carolinas chapter, where she has been a member for over 15 years.

“My unconventional journey into technical writing started when I was an engineer and was presented with an opportunity for a job change,” Love said. “I (became a tech writer) partly because I was located in the same city as the engineering team, which would facilitate better collaboration between them and a writer."

Tech writers can often be found in industries like technology, healthcare and manufacturing, where communication is crucial. For example, at a company that makes software, a technical writer might create the user guides that explain how to use it. Or in the manufacturing industry, a technical writer might write safety procedures or maintenance instructions for a piece of machinery.

What Are the Roles of a Technical Writer?

A technical writer wears many hats, and sometimes those responsibilities fall under job titles like technical communicator, information developer or documentation specialist.

To Amanda Groves, associate dean of liberal arts at SNHU, one of the key roles of a technical writer is to be a translator. "Oftentimes, product and process developers are highly skilled in production, but they need a detail-oriented communicator to help another audience understand the value of what they’re producing," Groves said. "Technical writers are essentially the translators that help different audiences understand any given topic."

While Groves has never had the words "technical writer" in her job title, her roles have always included technical writing in some way. As a tutor, instructor and now dean, Groves points to documents she has written like Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), business cases, training materials, FAQs and academic catalogues that fall under a technical writing umbrella.

All of these documents strive to communicate complicated material in an easier way. But technical writing isn’t just about the writing. In fact, Love said that writing is only about 10% of the job.

In Love's experience, a technical writer has a range of responsibilities, including:

• Education: A technical writer must have a strong understanding of the subject matter they are writing about.
• Research: Before writing, a technical writer must conduct thorough research to ensure what they write is accurate.
• Planning: Technical writers must carefully plan the structure and content of their documents to ensure they meet the needs of their audience.
• Writing: And of course, a technical writer writes. A good tech writer turns technical information into accessible content that anyone can understand.

Is Technical Writing Hard?

If you're interested in technical writing, you may have questions about how “technical” it really is. While it is important to understand your industry’s jargon and nuances, much of this can be learned on the job.

According to Love, entry-level or junior writers are not expected to know processes, tools or content right away, and many technical writers will be mentored by senior writers who give them simple tasks while they learn technical knowledge for that specific industry. “As writers get process and technical experience,” Love said, “they become more comfortable with taking on more responsibility and initiative (at their own pace).”

Technical writers also often work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) and other team members to gather information and feedback for their documents – so you don’t need to know everything. Sometimes, you just need to know how to find the right information or ask the right questions.

As much as being a technical writer is about knowing your stuff, it’s also about being able to adapt and learn quickly. “It’s incredible how much you can learn about all sorts of topics, products or processes when you’re tasked with explaining how they function,” said Groves.

Are Technical Writers in High Demand?

Technical writers are needed in many industries, and it is expected that they will be needed even more every year. In fact, between 2022 and 2032, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 7% increase in technical writer jobs.*

“Technical writers are needed not only in IT, but in the government, pharma/healthcare, finance and education sectors,” said Love. In these industries, especially, information can be complicated, and good info or instructions can greatly impact someone's life or health.

For example, in the healthcare industry, a doctor might send a patient home with a monitor for an at-home sleep test. That patient needs to have clear instructions to make sure they use the medical device correctly and get accurate readings — if they don't, their health could be at risk.

“When you’re seeking out technical writing opportunities,” Groves said, “remember to look for areas where a good communicator might be needed.”

What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Technical Writer?

There are a couple of different paths you can take if you want to become a technical writer, but according to the BLS, the typical entry-level education requirement is a bachelor's degree.

According to Groves and the BLS, some majors you might consider if you want to go into technical writing include:

• Bachelor's in communication
• Bachelor's in English
• Bachelor's in journalism (journalism degrees are not currently available at SNHU)

You might also consider pursuing a degree in a field related to the industry you want to write for, such as an engineering degree or a computer science degree. “At SNHU, we offer COM 343: Technical Writing Communication, which teaches several types of technical writing for different audiences. This would be a great place to start for someone new to the field," said Groves.

Groves also suggests looking for opportunities in your current workplace. "If you consider what falls into the category of ‘technical writing,’ you might be surprised at what needs already exist in your current role," she said.

For example, your team might benefit from a process guide, or a new tool might be easier to use if you had a manual written. If you see that there are ways that writing could help the people around you more easily understand a topic, then your workplace might need someone with technical writing skills.

Is Tech Writing for Me?

Every day, good tech writing makes the world easier to navigate and understand. It can be a rewarding field that allows people to engage with accessible technical, medical and financial information – just to a name a few. With the right preparation and skills, you can make a difference for people just like you.

“If you’re analytical and inquisitive by nature, and you also enjoy explaining concepts, you might be surprised at how enjoyable technical writing can be,” said Groves. Taking tech writing course or looking for an internship can be a great first step to help you learn and build your confidence.

“Don’t be intimidated by the details or the idea of explaining complex ideas,” said Groves. “Just remember that you can break down the items into as small increments as you need. In many cases, a product or process that can help others is just waiting for someone like you to make it accessible.”

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location and worker skill.

Meg Palmer ’18 is a writer and scholar by trade who loves reading, riding her bike and singing in a barbershop quartet. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English, language and literature at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and her master’s degree in writing, rhetoric and discourse at DePaul University (’20). While attending SNHU, she served as the editor-in-chief of the campus student newspaper, The Penmen Press, where she deepened her passion for writing. Meg is an adjunct professor at Johnson and Wales University, where she teaches first year writing, honors composition, and public speaking. Connect with her on LinkedIn.