From: bobb@cabezon.uucp (Bob Boulanger)
Subject: Re: Technical Writing as an alternative to Technial Development
Organization: Logic Modelling Corporation of Beaverton Oregon
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 16:17:11 GMT

In article <1992Aug26.144554.10913@lambda.msfc.nasa.gov> thigpen@lambda.msfc.nasa.gov (Keith Thigpen) writes:
>I've worked in technical software for about eight years, and feel that I'm
>growing stale. I've considered moving into technical writing, but don't 
>really have any idea about how the switch will affect my salary.
>
>Can anyone give me approximate salary levels for technical writers? I'm 
>trying not to be nosy. Sorry if I offend anyone, but this has a direct
>bearing on whether I continue this investigation.
>
>Thanks,
>Keith
>
>-- 
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>| Keith Thigpen          thigpen@lambda.msfc.nasa.gov      (205)461-4936   |
>| New Technology, Inc.   Marshall Space Flight Center     Huntsville, AL   |
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keith:

I've been a Technical Writer for more than 12 years now, and given the 
comments in your posting, I have some burning questions to ask.

First, is it safe to assume that by 'in technical software' you mean that
you are a software development engineer?

Second, what kind of writing and education experience do you have that you
feel qualifies you to be a technical writer?

Last, if you are an engineer and if you have no formal education or experience
as a tech writer, what makes you think that you can say "I'm burned out in
my old job, I think I'll be a tech writer" and succeed at it?

I'm curious about these questions because I often hear engineers make
statements like this. I don't think many people realize that technical
writing requires the same level of expertise and professionalism as
engineering. Unfortunately, most people tend to think that anyone can
pick up a pencil or a keyboard and be a 'good' technical writer, especially
if the person has a technical background. I mean, hey, who better to
write about a technical product than a person who knows the product inside
out, even if their writing skills are terrible to non-existent.

This attitude about becoming a writer, especially a technical writer, is
akin to my saying 'I'm tired of being a writer. I think I'll go do some
engineering work for awhile. Anyone out there want to tell me what kind
of salary I can expect?' I, and many of my technical writing colleagues
have degrees in English or writing or communications - something that helps
us understand how we can best transmit technical, abstract, or theoretical
information to readers. This includes an understanding of reader psychology,
mechanics of pasteup and layout, visual design, and other aspects of creating
a document that is appealing, useful, and effective.

Now, to answer your questions as best I can. I've been fortunate in that I
have always been able to work for companies that not only said their technical
writers were on a salary par with equivalent grade engineers, but actually
followed through with those salaries. But I have also known companies to 
make the same claim, but then pay their writers 10%-20% less than engineers.

Part of how much you can expect to earn depends on your past training and
experience. Without any experience or formal education in tech writing or you
will most likely be able to find only entry-level positions. That could
change, depending on what your technical background is, the needs of 
potential employers, and outlook of hiring managers. If a hiring manager
thinks it's easier to take a technical person and teach them to write,
you could very well earn a salary near or at the level you received as an
engineer. If the manager believes that writing ability is more important and
that's it's usually easier to teach the technical information than the 
writing skills (as I believe), then you aren't likely to get much above an
entry level position or salary.

Hope this gives you some information to work with.


Bob Boulanger
Logic Modeling Corporation
SmartModel Division
19500 NW Gibbs Drive
Beaverton, OR  97006
(503)531-2206
(503)985-7156
bobb@lmc.com


-- 
Bob Boulanger
Logic Modeling Corporation
SmartModel Division
19500 NW Gibbs Drive