Career Outlook for Technical Communicators in 2010 and Beyond Introduction Technical writing is a career not always well-known

or understood by those outside the industry; however, those working in communication or the high-tech sector often have a better appreciation for the skill set and value of technical writers. From programming our PVRs to answering Twitter messages on our iPhones, technology is an important part of our lives now more than ever. As a result, many people are seeking employment in related fields. But does the increased use of numerous high-tech devices on a daily basis mean that there are more job opportunities for technical communicators? What are the current job prospects for technical writers in 2010, and what is the career outlook for the years ahead? The following information will aide those considering careers as technical writers in understanding their future employment possibilities. Definition A technical communicator is commonly described as, a professional writer who designs, writes, creates, maintains, and updates technical documentationincluding online help, user guides, white papers, design specifications, system manuals, and other documents. (Burton, S. (2007) "From the Executive Director: Confronting Change, www.stc.org, retrieved 2009-09-23.) Current Employment Opportunities Technical communicators are presently finding employment through a variety of sources. A central source for job postings and industry-related information is the Society for Technical Communication (STC.) The STC is the largest professional organization of its kind in the world and provides its 14,000 members with education, recognition and job-related information, primarily through its website. Technical writers also seek employment through other job websites. While the general websites are popular, there are also many that specialize in technology-related employment opportunities.

Technical communicators are employed under a variety of job titles, including: 1. Documentation Manager 2. Technical Writer 3. Technical Editor 4. Knowledge Manager 5. Web-Content Editor 6. Online Writer 7. User-Interface Designer 8. Courseware Developer 9. Process Specialist 10.Indexer (VCC (2010), TECW 1102: Current Issues in Technical Communication.) Profitability The median annual wage for a salaried technical writer in the United States was $61,000 in 2008. Technical communicators salaries are on average 1% higher than those for all other jobs in the US. However, those obtaining employment as technical communicators may find that salaries vary according to location. In California, the average technical writers salary in 2006 was $95,000 per year but the same position in Utah only offered an average salary of $44,000 per year. (Kurtus, R. (2006) What Technical Writers are Paid in the United States, www.school-forchampions.com, retrieved 2010-03-21.) (U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Technical Writers, www.bls.gov, retrieved 2010-03-21.) Technical communicators salaries are also often based on experience. While those in entrylevel positions may earn $33,000 to $48,000 per year in North America, those with twenty years experience average upwards of $83,000. (Salary Survey for Job: Technical Writer, www.payscale.com, retrieved 2010-03-21.) The relatively high median salary for technical writers indicates to me that while job opportunities are increasing, people are not entering the field en masse.

Career Prospects In December 2009, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that technical writers held approximately 48,000 jobs in the United States in 2008. The Bureau also estimated that employment of technical writers is expected to grow by 18% from 2008 to 2018. This increase is faster than the national average as the need to explain a growing number of electronic and scientific products is significant. (Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010-11), U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Technical Writers, www.bls.gov, retrieved 2010-03-21.) Conclusion While technical communication may still be a lesser-known profession, I believe that will soon change. The more we integrate technology into our lives, the more the public will be aware of the behind the scenes work that makes those technological advancements possible. Furthermore, the wide range of technical communication jobs, from blogger to indexer, will attract more people, and those within will have more choice of projects. Consequently, I feel that 2010 is an exciting time to be a technical communicator both for seasoned professionals and those entering the industry.