What Do IT Technical Writers Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for it technical writers?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what it technical writers do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
IT Technical Writers Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about it technical writers by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
IT Technical Writers write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Popular Job Titles For IT Technical Writers
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Technical Writers
- Proposal Writers
- Medical Writers
- Technical Writers/Editors
- Technical Proposal Writers
- UX Writers
- Report Writers
- IT Technical Writers
- Medical Writing Managers
- Technical Publications Specialists
- Principals
- Technical Writer Interns
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for it technical writers can be found.
Best Industries for IT Technical Writers
IT Technical Writers Jobs By Industry
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 20%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 8.9%
- Employment Services: 6.5%
- Scientific Research and Development Services: 5.7%
- Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services: 5.6%
- Software Publishers: 5%
- Other: 48.3%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of it technical writers can be found working in the Computer Systems Design and Related Services sector. In 2023, about 20% of all jobs for it technical writers were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (8.9%), Employment Services (6.5%), Scientific Research and Development Services (5.7%), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5.6%) and Software Publishers (5%).
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What Do IT Technical Writers Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what it technical writers do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work it technical writers do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that it technical writers tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for it technical writers, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's IT Technical Writers
Based on 32,517 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for IT Technical Writers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Writing | 12,690 | 39% |
| Project Management | 7,652 | 24% |
| Technical Documentation | 6,380 | 20% |
| Templates | 4,893 | 15% |
| Proofreading | 4,282 | 13% |
Top 5 Common Skills for IT Technical Writers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | 17,630 | 54% |
| Communication | 16,622 | 51% |
| Editing | 10,406 | 32% |
| Research | 9,453 | 29% |
| Detail Oriented | 9,351 | 29% |
Based on 32,517 job postings related to it technical writers, technical writing was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 39% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for project management, technical documentation, templates, proofreading and marketing were also highly sought.
As for common skills, writing was the most desired skill found in job postings for it technical writers, followed by communication, editing, research, detail oriented and english language.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Writing | 12,690 | 39% |
| Project Management | 7,652 | 24% |
| Technical Documentation | 6,380 | 20% |
| Templates | 4,893 | 15% |
| Proofreading | 4,282 | 13% |
| Marketing | 4,036 | 12% |
| Journalism | 3,687 | 11% |
| Microsoft SharePoint | 3,620 | 11% |
| Request For Proposal | 3,530 | 11% |
| Style Guides | 3,178 | 10% |
| Technical Communication | 3,014 | 9% |
| Workflow Management | 2,888 | 9% |
| Medical Writing | 2,828 | 9% |
| Software Documentation | 2,710 | 8% |
| Microsoft Visio | 2,605 | 8% |
| Standard Operating Procedure | 2,506 | 8% |
| Computer Science | 2,406 | 7% |
| Proposal Writing | 2,319 | 7% |
| Content Creation | 2,259 | 7% |
| Agile Methodology | 2,119 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | 17,630 | 54% |
| Communication | 16,622 | 51% |
| Editing | 10,406 | 32% |
| Research | 9,453 | 29% |
| Detail Oriented | 9,351 | 29% |
| English Language | 8,897 | 27% |
| Microsoft Office | 8,586 | 26% |
| Management | 7,680 | 24% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 7,077 | 22% |
| Microsoft Excel | 6,520 | 20% |
| Presentations | 5,833 | 18% |
| Operations | 5,358 | 16% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 5,236 | 16% |
| Leadership | 5,137 | 16% |
| Planning | 4,650 | 14% |
| Microsoft Word | 4,576 | 14% |
| Grammar | 4,390 | 14% |
| Problem Solving | 4,144 | 13% |
| Ability To Meet Deadlines | 3,640 | 11% |
| Organizational Skills | 3,480 | 11% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for IT Technical Writers
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Writers | 28,094 | 58.8% |
| Proposal Writers | 6,239 | 13.1% |
| Medical Writers | 2,549 | 5.3% |
| Technical Writers/Editors | 2,242 | 4.7% |
| Technical Proposal Writers | 868 | 1.8% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was technical writers, with 13,291 unique job postings. Proposal writers were second, with 1,315 postings, followed by medical writers, technical writers/editors and technical proposal writers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to it technical writers.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Writers | 28,094 | 58.8% |
| Proposal Writers | 6,239 | 13.1% |
| Medical Writers | 2,549 | 5.3% |
| Technical Writers/Editors | 2,242 | 4.7% |
| Technical Proposal Writers | 868 | 1.8% |
| UX Writers | 805 | 1.7% |
| Report Writers | 1,006 | 2.1% |
| IT Technical Writers | 823 | 1.7% |
| Medical Writing Managers | 532 | 1.1% |
| Technical Publications Specialists | 449 | 0.9% |
| Principals | 557 | 1.2% |
| Technical Writer Interns | 454 | 1% |
| Scientific Writers | 557 | 1.2% |
| Technical Documentation Writers | 503 | 1.1% |
| Contract Technical Writers | 380 | 0.8% |
| Data Analysts/Report Writers | 412 | 0.9% |
| Business Analysts/Technical Writers | 407 | 0.9% |
| Writers/Editors | 283 | 0.6% |
| Consultants | 196 | 0.4% |
| Scientific Technical Writers | 403 | 0.8% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for it technical writers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for it technical writers.
How much do it technical writers make?
IT Technical Writers: How do you become one?
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