Technical writers are currently in high demand, just like other technical experts. If you’re searching for technical writing jobs and are looking for the top companies hiring technical writers, this article is for you. It is a detailed review of the best companies for technical writers.
Throughout this article, we will provide a list of the highest-paying technical writer companies, employee reviews, and salaries being offered to technical writers by these companies. You’ll also find a simple, step-by-step guide on how to get a job as a technical writer.
What Is a Technical Writer?
A technical writer is a professional writer or technical communicator who specializes in simplifying technical terms. They are information communicators who write books, journals, product documentation, white papers, product descriptions, instruction manuals, and many other documents that explain technical terms to trained or untrained readers.
Technical writers play key roles in transferring information within a company and from a company to external bodies. They are hired by software development companies, web design companies, Internet-based companies, healthcare companies, manufacturing companies, and more.
How to Get a Technical Writer Job
Like every other professional, there are steps you should follow to become a writer who creates technical content. If you have extensive skills in content writing but haven’t gotten technical, the steps below will help you get started.
- Get a degree. Most top companies require technical writers to have degrees. It could be an associate or bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or any other technical field.
- Get certified. A technical writing certification allows candidates to specialize as technical writers. At the time of writing, the most popular certification program for technical writers is the Society for Technical Communication (STC).
- Create a professional brand. When trying to break into any field, it is important to stand above the competition through professional branding. LinkedIn pages should be complete and social media accounts should be clean so they appear as professional as possible.
- Use LinkedIn for portfolio exposure. Prospective technical writers should have an organized portfolio of their writing projects or technical writing jobs. Attaching the portfolio to a personal LinkedIn profile is a good way to make it public. This way, companies interested in technical writing services review work samples ahead of time.
- Apply for jobs. When breaking into any industry, applicants will typically need to submit several job applications. Search the Internet for available job postings.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Technical Companies
| Company | Salary for Technical Writers |
|---|---|
| Walmart | $168,000 |
| NVIDIA | $149,519 |
| $121,620 | |
| Amazon | $108,769 |
| Databricks | $101,172 |
| Deloitte | $93,604 |
| Agricor and Botanacor Laboratories | $87,500 |
| Intel | $87,378 |
| Visa | $75,400 |
| Salesforce | $65,000 |
Walmart
Technical writers at Walmart, especially lead writers, are among the highest-paid in the industry. Their primary role is product documentation for product teams. It is not enough to have perfect grammar, these writers also need some level of technical expertise so they can properly communicate the message.
What Does Walmart Pay Its Technical Writers?
Walmart pays senior technical writers about $168,000 in annual wages, including bonuses. Annual salaries for every other technical writer range from $136,000 to $200,000. Apart from skill level, qualifications, and experience, location also influences how much an experienced writer earns at Walmart.
Walmart Reviews
Walmart offers a range of benefits to its technical writers including dental insurance, health insurance, life insurance, paid vacation days, vision insurance, 401k matching, and even tuition reimbursement.
NVIDIA
Technical writers at NVIDIA will contribute to the development and maintenance of real-world computing platforms. Applicants will need to know how to manipulate the Linux and Windows environments since they will be part of the technical review process.
What Does NVIDIA Pay Its Technical Writers?
Technical content writing jobs at NVIDIA can expect to earn an average base salary of $149,519 annually. Technical writers in the company usually earn between $99,000 and $227,000 in annual wages.
NVIDIA Reviews
This is one of the top-rated companies on Glassdoor, with 4.7 out of five stars. Employees say there are great opportunities for career advancement and professional development and commended the company’s cultural values. Technical writers, just like everyone else, are compensated very well.
Google is one of the biggest names in the tech industry and pays technical writers well for their roles. Level of education is important, too, as the tech giant has opportunities for bachelor’s degree holders in technical writing, product management, and documentation. Some positions require a clear understanding of programming languages.
What Does Google Pay Its Technical Writers?
Google pays its technical writers an average of $121,620 yearly, plus benefits. The base pay is about $114,492 but cash bonuses significantly add to the total. Writers in higher positions receive more cash and stock bonuses. Compared to many other companies that employ technical writers, Google is among the highest-payers.
Google Reviews
Google has a good reputation when it comes to employee satisfaction. As a hub of technology, technical writers and people from other departments have an opportunity to grow and excel at Google.
Amazon
Amazon isn’t just the leading ecommerce company in the world, it’s also one of the Big Five tech companies. Amazon hires technical writers in different departments, including Amazon Web Services (AWS). Technical writers work closely with development teams on documentation.
What Does Amazon Pay Its Technical Writers?
Amazon pays its technical writers a yearly average of $108,769 with benefits. The base annual salary alone is about $106,555 according to Glassdoor. Depending on the level of experience, the salary could range from $79,565 to $126,697, and senior technical writers are the top earners.
Amazon Reviews
Most current and former Amazon technical writer reviews report a great working experience with the company. Based on about 111,000 reviews on Glassdoor, the tech giant pays well and promotes a positive work environment for its staff.
Databricks
This data science company employs technical writers to assist in documentation during high-level projects. When the engineering team makes suggestions, technical writers rewrite them in simple language, edit, and proofread the content.
What Does Databricks Pay Its Technical Writers?
Databricks offers an average base salary of $101,172. Glassdoor notes that the salary could range from $71,000 to $144,000 depending on experience and job description.
Databricks Reviews
The job experience for technical writers at Databricks is the same for workers in other departments. They enjoy clear and transparent direction from the leaders, get amazing benefits in addition to their base salaries such as health, life, and disability insurance, and enjoy a friendly work environment with results-driven staff.
Deloitte
Deloitte, another big name in the world, employs technical writers to work on its product management team. These writers work on technical documentation and other resources that help to speed up the project management processes in the company.
What Does Deloitte Pay Its Technical Writers?
Technical writers earn an average base salary of $93,604 at Deloitte, with a range from $70,000 to $126,000. Technical writers also receive an average annual cash bonus of $2,266.
Deloitte Reviews
As indicated by employee reviews on Indeed, Deloitte is a great place to work as a technical writer because it offers a flexible work culture and supportive employees. However, the pay for average employees is low compared to competing firms.
Agricor and Botanacor Laboratories
This Denver-based firm employs technical writers as part of its agile project management team. The technical writers here create content on a variety of technical topics from product documentation to training guides and other forms of product content.
What Does Agricor and Botanacor Laboratories Pay Its Technical Writers?
Agricor technical writers receive an average of $87,500, but salaries vary from $75,000 to $100,000 depending on the writer’s professional experience level. Also, as technical writers advance within the company, their salaries increase.
Agricor and Botanacor Laboratories Reviews
While Agricor pays technical writers relatively well, these writers are expected to put in a lot of work, so work-life balance can be a challenge. However, the company provides a great environment for advancement and meeting personal goals.
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Intel
Intel is a top provider of cloud-based data centers and microprocessors in the United States. The company employs technical writers to work in the Programmable Solutions Group (PSG). They write and revise complex topics, analyze data, and make sure to meet the requirements of the company’s partners.
What Does Intel Pay Its Technical Writers?
Technical writers at Intel earn an annual average of $87,378. The salary could go as high as $122,000 but does not fall below $63,000 for technical writers. There are also benefits attached to working at Intel apart from the base salary, including a matching 401k.
Intel Reviews
According to employee reviews, Intel is a great place to work because it offers workers flexibility that allows them to maintain the perfect work-life balance. The pay is lower than many other companies in the same ranks but there is amazing healthcare, stock options, and bonuses.
Visa
Visa is a global financial institution that has built a reputation through its products and services. Technical writers work in the technical communications services (TCS) department. They research, create, edit, and proofread content, help explain complex topics, write user guides, and work on software documentation.
What Does Visa Pay Its Technical Writers?
Technical writers can expect to earn an average of $75,400 yearly. Visa also offers 401k matching and other amazing benefits.
Visa Reviews
Working at Visa comes with several perks, according to current and former employees’ reviews. The company offers competitive benefits in addition to the base salary.
Salesforce
Salesforce is one of the world’s most prominent providers of software as a service. Like many similar companies, Salesforce employs technical writers as part of its project management and engineering teams. As part of the technical knowledge, it is important to have a vivid understanding of cloud computing to secure this position.
What Does Salesforce Pay Its Technical Writers?
Technical writers at Salesforce earn an average of $65,000 yearly, significantly lower than other companies on this list. This is around the same amount the average American worker earns, according to ZipRecruiter.
Salesforce Review Reviews
Salesforce is a great place to work as a technical writer. The company offers a lot of amazing benefits and was one of the few American firms to give parents additional stipends in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The work-life balance could use some improvements, though.
Why You Should Become a Technical Writer in 2022
You should become a technical writer in 2022 if you are looking for a high-paying, yet creative role. Technical writers are currently in high demand and employment growth is expected to hit 12 percent between 2020 and 2030, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Also, the average salary of these experts in the United States is about $74,650.
Apart from the salary and high demand, it is also important to note that technical writers can diversify across industries. This allows workers to explore and learn about a wide variety of industries, giving them career options. Another option is to become a freelance writer who specializes in technical copywriting.
Best Companies for Technical Writer FAQ
Companies hire technical writers to save time and reduce costs in the long run. For example, software companies might lose a lot of time and money in development if developers were responsible for technical content writing services, in addition to their primary responsibilities.
Project management and marketing are two common jobs technical writers explore when they are ready to try something new. It is also possible for a technical writer to take up a management or executive role within a company.
Yes, technical writing is a low-stress job because it is straightforward. People who provide technical writing services only need to concern themselves with their writing skills, not about writing fiction or any other form of creative writing. All they need is a brief of the project and instructions about how to proceed.
You’ll need to be certified in your area if you want to get a job without experience. The Society for Technical Communication (STC) certification should give you an edge because it attests to your capabilities as a technical writer. After that, start applying for an entry-level technical writing position.
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