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Technical Writers in Wisconsin

Technical Writers in Wisconsin

Thinking about a career as a Technical Writers in Wisconsin? Here’s what you need to know. Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

What do Technical Writers Make in Wisconsin?

For technical writers working in Wisconsin, wages run about $76,090 per year (or about $36.58/hour).Pay can range from $54,910 at the 10th percentile to $104,000 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $54,910 $26.40
25th percentile $62,760 $30.17
Median (50th) $76,090 $36.58
75th percentile $92,750 $44.59
90th percentile $104,000 $50.00
Salary ranges for Technical Writers in Wisconsin

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Wisconsin compared to the national average — is 0.74, suggesting fewer technical writers per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, technical writers earn a median of $52,099 per year ($25.05/hour), above the Wisconsin median.

Technical Writers earnings in Wisconsin vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 371,429 technical writers across the United States. In Wisconsin alone, about 780 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 680 technical writers.

Technical Writers in Wisconsin vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Technical Writers

Top Wisconsin Metros for Technical Writers

The metro areas below employ the most technical writers in Wisconsin.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI 260 $78,560
Madison, WI 160 $83,380
Green Bay, WI 30 $72,240
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI 30 $70,270

Top States for Technical Writers Employment

These states have the highest employment of technical writers work.

State Number Employed
California 13,210
Texas 3,670
Florida 2,590
Virginia 2,520
New York 2,030
North Carolina 2,000
Colorado 1,820
Maryland 1,770
Massachusetts 1,750
Georgia 1,710
Washington 1,680
Ohio 1,570
Pennsylvania 1,390
New Jersey 1,350
Minnesota 1,210
Illinois 1,180
Michigan 1,170
Indiana 1,070
Connecticut 1,040
Alabama 830

Highest-Paying States for Technical Writers

The highest-paying states for technical writers.

State Annual Median Salary
Connecticut $109,400
Colorado $103,960
Massachusetts $102,640
Rhode Island $100,580
California $100,440
Maryland $98,350
Washington $93,230
New Hampshire $91,710
District of Columbia $89,180
North Carolina $87,330

Skills

Top technical writers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Writing  4.9 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.1 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.8 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.8 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.6 / 5
0
5
Active Learning  3.2 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

English Language  4.8 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  4.3 / 5
0
5
Administrative  3.8 / 5
0
5
Communications and Media  3.2 / 5
0
5
Administration and Management  3.2 / 5
0
5
Public Safety and Security  3.2 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for technical writers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Written Expression  4.2 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  4.1 / 5
0
5
Near Vision  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  3.8 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  3.8 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
  • Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
  • Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
  • Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
  • Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
  • Develop or maintain online help documentation.
  • Assist in laying out material for publication.
  • Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail.
  • Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material.
  • Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedure and detail.
  • Review manufacturer's and trade catalogs, drawings and other data relative to operation, maintenance, and service of equipment.
  • Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.

Work Activities

  • Working with Computers
  • Getting Information
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Processing Information
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Thinking Creatively

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop In-demand technologies: Atlassian Confluence, Atlassian JIRA

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

  • Writing Studies
  • Corporate Communications
  • Public Relations & Advertising
  • Human Sciences Business Services

Related occupations to technical writers include:

Also Known As

Assembly Instructions Writer, Clinical Writer, Contracts Writer, Document Specialist, Documentation Designer, Documentation Specialist, Documentation Writer, Engineering Documentation Specialist, Engineering Writer, Grant Writer, Handbook Writer, Health Science Writer, Health Technical Writer, Information Developer, Lexicographer.

References

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