# technical writer

> professional information communicator

**Wikidata**: [Q1568338](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1568338)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_writer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/technical-writer

## Summary
A technical writer is a professional information communicator responsible for the field of technical writing. Classified as a non-fiction writer, this professional serves as a documenter or technical author, translating complex information into accessible content.

## Key Facts
- **Classifications**: Recognized as a profession and position; a subclass of non-fiction writer.
- **Occupational Codes**: SOC code (2010) 27-3042, ISCO-08 class 2641, and ISCO-88 class 2451.
- **Industry Salaries (2022)**: In the Australian defense industry, salaries often reached $160,000 AUD in the Australian Capital Territory and $150,000 AUD in Victoria.
- **Aliases**: Also known as a technical author, documenter, documentarian, or redactor técnico.
- **Field of Work**: Specifically focused on the field of technical writing and professional information communication.
- **Standardization**: Identified by the Dictionary of Occupational Titles code 131.267-026 and ROME occupation code 18376.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary role of a technical writer?
A: A technical writer is a professional information communicator who specializes in technical writing. They are responsible for creating documentation and are formally classified as a type of non-fiction writer.

### Q: What are the common alternative titles for a technical writer?
A: Common aliases include technical author, documenter, and documentarian. In other languages, the role is referred to by terms such as "rédactrice technique" (French), "Technische Redakteurin" (German), and "escritora técnica" (Spanish).

### Q: How much do technical writers earn in specialized industries?
A: According to 2022 data from the Australian defense industry, salaries vary by region: $160,000 AUD in ACT, $150,000 AUD in Victoria, $140,000 AUD in New South Wales, and between $120,000 and $130,000 AUD in other states.

## Why It Matters
Technical writers play a critical role in bridging the gap between complex technical systems and the users who must operate them. As professional information communicators, they ensure that specialized knowledge is documented accurately and clearly. This profession is vital in high-stakes sectors like the defense industry, where precise documentation is a requirement for safety and operational success. The role's significance is reflected in its inclusion in major international labor standards and occupational classifications, such as the ISCO and SOC systems. Furthermore, the profession often intersects with other high-level disciplines; many notable technical writers are also computer scientists, mathematicians, or software developers, highlighting the role's importance in the technology and engineering lifecycles.

## Notable For
- **Professional Versatility**: The role is frequently held by experts in other fields, including ENIAC programmer Jean Bartik, computer scientist Alex Bradbury, and Little Rock Nine member Gloria Ray Karlmark.
- **Standardized Classification**: It is a globally recognized occupation with specific identifiers in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08) and the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- **High-Value Specialization**: Senior roles in specific sectors, such as the Australian defense industry, command significant compensation, with salaries reaching up to $160,000 AUD as of 2022.
- **Literary Contribution**: Technical writers often author foundational industry texts, such as Carol Nichols, who co-authored *The Rust Programming Language* book.

## Body
### Occupational Standards and Identifiers
The technical writer is a formally recognized profession categorized under several international and national systems:
*   **SOC Code (2010)**: 27-3042
*   **ISCO-08 Class**: 2641
*   **ISCO-88 Class**: 2451
*   **ROME Occupation Code**: 18376
*   **Dictionary of Occupational Titles**: 131.267-026

### Economic Data (2022)
Salary data from the Australian defense industry indicates that compensation for technical writers is highly regionalized. As of June 2022, "often" reported base salaries included:
*   **Australian Capital Territory**: $160,000 AUD
*   **Victoria**: $150,000 AUD
*   **New South Wales**: $140,000 AUD
*   **Western Australia & Queensland**: $130,000 AUD
*   **South Australia**: $120,000 AUD

### Notable Practitioners
The profession includes individuals who have made significant contributions to computer science and other fields:
*   **Jean Bartik (1924–2011)**: An American ENIAC computer programmer and mathematician who also worked as a technical writer.
*   **Gloria Ray Karlmark (b. 1942)**: A member of the Little Rock Nine who served as a computer scientist, editor-in-chief, and technical writer.
*   **Alex Bradbury (b. 1988)**: A British computer scientist and business executive identified as a technical writer.
*   **Kelsey Hightower**: A software engineer and developer advocate who also holds the occupation of technical writer.
*   **Carol Nichols (b. 1983)**: A programmer and technical writer known for co-authoring *The Rust Programming Language*.
*   **Marijn Haverbeke (b. 1980)**: A software developer and documentarian responsible for tools like CodeMirror and ProseMirror.

### Terminology and Gender Forms
The role is known by various gender-specific labels in different languages, such as "technische Redakteurin" (German female form) and "technisch schrijfster" (Dutch female form). Common English synonyms include "technical author" and "documentarian."

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://www.hays.com.au/documents/276732/1102429/Hays+Salary+Guide+FY2223.pdf)
3. KBpedia