What is a Technical Author Job?
A technical author is a professional writer who specializes in creating user manuals, product descriptions, and other technical documentation. They are responsible for creating easy-to-understand and comprehensive instructions for using complex products, software, and systems. Technical author jobs are in high demand in various industries such as healthcare, IT, engineering, and manufacturing.
What Usually Do in This Position?
Technical authors work closely with engineers, developers, and product managers to understand the product or system they are documenting. They use this information to create user guides, manuals, and other technical documents that are easy to understand and follow. They also use tools such as diagrams, flowcharts, and screenshots to enhance the user experience and provide visual aids.
Technical authors also perform quality assurance checks for their documents, ensuring that they are free of errors and that they meet the company's standards. They must also stay up-to-date with industry trends and technological advancements to ensure that their documentation is accurate and relevant.
Top 5 Skills for This Position
1. Excellent Writing Skills: Technical authors must have exceptional writing skills to create clear, concise, and easy-to-understand documentation.
2. Technical Knowledge: They must have a solid understanding of the product or system they are documenting and be able to explain complex technical concepts in simple terms.
3. Attention to Detail: Technical authors must have an eye for detail to ensure that their documents are error-free and meet the company's standards.
4. Time Management: They must be able to manage their time effectively to meet strict deadlines for document delivery.
5. Communication Skills: Technical authors must have excellent communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
How to Become This Type of Specialist
To become a technical author, you will need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as technical writing, English, or journalism. You can also gain experience through internships or entry-level positions in technical writing. You need to have a good understanding of the product or system you are documenting and stay up-to-date with technological advancements.
Average Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for technical writers is $72,850. The salary varies depending on the industry, location, and experience level.
Roles and Types
There are various roles and types of technical author jobs, such as technical writers, editors, content developers, instructional designers, and documentation specialists. Technical authors can work in various industries such as healthcare, IT, engineering, and manufacturing.
Locations with the Most Popular Jobs in the USA
According to Glassdoor, the top cities for technical author jobs in the USA are San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, New York, NY, Boston, MA, and Austin, TX. These cities have a high demand for technical authors due to the large number of technology and engineering companies located in these areas.
What are the Typical Tools?
Technical authors use various tools to create and manage technical documentation, such as Microsoft Word, Adobe FrameMaker, MadCap Flare, RoboHelp, and Confluence. They also use tools such as Snagit, Camtasia, and Photoshop to create screenshots and visual aids.
In Conclusion
Technical author jobs are in high demand in various industries, and the role requires excellent writing skills, technical knowledge, attention to detail, time management, and communication skills. To become a technical author, you will need a relevant bachelor's degree, experience, and a good understanding of the product or system you are documenting. The average salary for technical authors varies depending on the industry, location, and experience level. Technical authors use various tools to create and manage technical documentation, such as Microsoft Word, Adobe FrameMaker, and MadCap Flare.