Money Making Information For Technical Communicators
Some technical communicators make up to $250,000 per year and more, the majority of technical writers never see this kind of money and are not aware that this is possible. So the question you may ask is -- how much money does the average technical writers make? The statistics taken for the year 2002 indicate that on average the money was $65,000 USD in the United States. The yearly median salary increased between 2002 and 2006 about $2,000 per year. In 2006 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures for technical writers said $60,850. Salary depended on location and varied from as low as $44,000 to as high as $95,000. The higher wages of course, were for seasoned writers with 6-11 years experience. Independant contractors made a lot more money, some reaching as high as $124,000 per year while some others were getting a mere $34,000. Another major factor migitating salary was supply and demand coupled with the subtler one concerning attitudes toward technology and how much value employers give technical writers. These factors varied depending on location and are similar probably worldwide. In the United States approximately 306,000 technical writers held salaried jobs in 2006. The information industry was by far the biggest provider of their employment. This sector includes the books, directory publishers, data processing, Internet service providers, Internet publishing and broadcasting, motion pictures and sound recording, magazines and newspapers, periodicals, radio and television, software , and Web search engines. Although the information industry sector provided so much employment, technical writers work in many other important and profitable sectors such as educational, computer system design and related services, public services, religious organizations, professional, scientific, and technical and engineering sectors. Government economists predict employment for technical writers is expected to grow more than 10 percent, faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. Web-based publications such as blogging, interactive media that provides surfers with nearly real-time information will provide more opportunities for technical writers. New progress in technology and electronics, scientific and medical discoveries, and changes in law will create opportunities for people skilled in explaining it all. Technical writers with training in a special field, such as medicine, will have the best chances of finding work. The Internet and online publications will continue to grow opportunities especially for those with Web experience. Businesses and organizations realizing the impact the Web provides are beginning to increase their presence on the Internet. They are creating a demand for more technical communication in the form of new websites, newsletters and publishing other company information and marketing material on the Web creating opportunities for more technical writers. The Web also has attracted numerous print magazines, periodicals, and other similar organizations to develop their market niches. Each is increasingly making sophisticated Internet-only content available appealing to readers with special interests. Further, various advertising and public relations agencies as well as professional, technical, engineering, and professional services firms are also getting in and will be sources of new employment for technical writers. Moreover, because the North American workforce is aging finding experienced replacement workers is getting progressively more difficult for companies, this will provide more opportunity for some technical writers. Again those with experience and more to offer employers will find a lucrative market for their services. Technical communication is not limited to North America and work is available throughout the world. As mentioned earlier. It is the independant contractors that made the most money in technical writing. Working abroad can be a very rewarding and lucrative experience for those that are willing to be contractors and have what the market wants. If you work as a independant contractor or independent consultant, you must use some form of contract or you're toast. Never ever work without a written contract or some form of written agreement. Having a written agreement not only helps you avoid future problems, it is the “blueprint” defining the work you have to do, your responsibilities, when the work is it due, what you will be paid, and when. Someone once said the world is an oyster waiting to be opened, technical communication can be very rewarding check it out!
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