Technical Writer Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Technical Writer salary lies between USD 85,000 and USD 154,000 in the United States. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 17, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Technical Writer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Technical Writer job listings are Clearance, Cloud and DoD. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Clearance | 39 jobs Cloud | 24 jobs DoD | 23 jobs Agile | 21 jobs Incident response | 20 jobs Security Clearance | 20 jobs Top Secret | 19 jobs Compliance | 18 jobs TS/SCI | 17 jobs Computer Science | 15 jobs Privacy | 14 jobs Automation | 12 jobs Threat intelligence | 11 jobs SDLC | 11 jobs APIs | 11 jobs ConOps | 11 jobs R&D | 10 jobs Confluence | 10 jobs Government agency | 10 jobs Strategy | 9 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Technical Writer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Technical Writer job listings are Career development, Health care and Competitive pay. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 48 jobs Health care | 41 jobs Competitive pay | 33 jobs Startup environment | 21 jobs Insurance | 19 jobs Medical leave | 18 jobs 401(k) matching | 17 jobs Team events | 17 jobs Equity / stock options | 12 jobs Flex vacation | 11 jobs Salary bonus | 11 jobs Parental leave | 10 jobs Flex hours | 9 jobs Transparency | 8 jobs Wellness | 6 jobs Travel | 4 jobs Relocation support | 3 jobs Gear | 2 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs Flexible spending account | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

In the field of InfoSec/Cyber Security as a Technical Writer, the salary composition can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Typically, the salary is composed of a fixed base salary, which forms the bulk of the compensation package. This base salary can be supplemented by performance-based bonuses, which are often tied to individual or company performance metrics. Additionally, some companies may offer stock options or equity, particularly in tech-heavy regions like Silicon Valley. Benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development allowances are also common. In larger companies or those in high-cost living areas, the fixed salary might be higher, while smaller companies might offer more in terms of bonuses or equity to attract talent.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Technical Writer position in InfoSec/Cyber Security, consider the following steps:

• Specialize in Niche Areas: Developing expertise in niche areas of cybersecurity, such as cloud security or threat intelligence, can make you more valuable.
• Pursue Advanced Certifications: Obtaining advanced certifications can demonstrate your commitment and expertise, potentially leading to higher-paying roles.
• Seek Leadership Roles: Transitioning into roles that involve leading a team or managing projects can increase your earning potential.
• Network and Build Industry Connections: Engaging with industry professionals can open up opportunities for higher-paying positions.
• Consider Geographic Mobility: Being open to relocating to regions with higher demand for cybersecurity professionals can lead to better salary offers.

Educational Requirements

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as English, Communications, Computer Science, or Information Technology. However, a degree specifically in Technical Writing or Cybersecurity can be particularly advantageous. Some positions may also consider candidates with equivalent experience or a strong portfolio of technical writing work in lieu of formal education.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credibility and expertise as a Technical Writer in InfoSec/Cyber Security:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Demonstrates a broad understanding of cybersecurity principles.
• Certified Technical Writer (CTW): Focuses on the skills needed for effective technical communication.
• CompTIA Security+: Provides foundational knowledge in cybersecurity, which can be beneficial for understanding technical content.
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): Useful for those looking to move into management roles.

Experience Requirements

Typically, employers look for candidates with at least 2-5 years of experience in technical writing, preferably with some exposure to cybersecurity topics. Experience working in a tech or cybersecurity company can be particularly beneficial. Demonstrating a strong portfolio of writing samples that include security-related content can also be advantageous.

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