The Reality of Making Money as a Technical Writer

When I was in college, my professors often extolled the virtues of technical writing as a lucrative career path. They painted a picture of financial stability, travel, and the opportunity to experience new things. While there is truth in some of these claims, the reality of being a technical writer is far more complex and challenging than they let on.

The Promise vs. Reality of Travel

Many technical writing roles do require travel, particularly if you are consulting for different companies or working on contracts. This may seem exciting at first—who wouldn’t want to see new places? But there’s a downside: the travel isn’t a perk, it’s a necessity. The frequent relocation or travel required to complete projects for different clients means that technical writers often face instability. You might not stay in one city or even one company long enough to establish a stable work-life balance. This transient lifestyle leads to challenges like not having health insurance, paid holidays, or retirement plans unless you work for a large corporation​(AspiringYouths)​(ConsultingFact).

The Wage Gap and Stability

Despite the importance of the role, technical writing wages often don’t reflect the instability the job demands. Technical writers frequently change employers or relocate, adapting to new technologies and industries with each role. While other employees may stay with a company for years, developing stability and earning benefits, technical writers are often treated like temporary assets. This constant movement means that wages should be higher to offset the stress of frequent relocation, adapting to different work cultures, and the lack of benefits like retirement or paid time off​(ConsultingFact).

Technical writers are expected to know everything about the industry they are writing for, from product specifications to regulatory guidelines, and they must adapt quickly to new technologies and processes. However, the flexibility demanded of technical writers is not matched by flexibility from employers. Often, technical writers are asked to work on-site despite the nature of the job being conducive to remote work. This not only adds commuting time but fails to offset the costs of constantly relocating or adapting to the economic conditions of a new area.

The Mental Toll

The instability inherent in the technical writing field can take a toll on mental well-being. Not having a stable position often means losing out on the sense of community that comes with a permanent workplace. The expectation to maintain a positive attitude, even while dealing with high levels of uncertainty and an ever-changing environment, can be exhausting. Moreover, technical writers must constantly “sell” their knowledge and skills to new employers, creating additional stress​(ConsultingFact)​(CMTC).

Wage Comparisons and Injustice

One of the most frustrating aspects of being a technical writer is that wage calculations are posed as though we are on equal footing with other permanent employees. In many cases, however, technical writers have to deal with frequent contract renewals, layoffs, or moving from project to project without the security other types of workers enjoy. Despite this, we are expected to perform at the same level as permanent employees who don’t face the same pressures of constant change.

Given the high level of expertise required for technical writing—whether it’s mastering complex software systems, understanding intricate regulations, or producing flawless documentation—wages should reflect the added burden of instability and adaptation. Instead, technical writers often find themselves underpaid and undervalued, despite being critical to business success.

Conclusion

Being a technical writer offers some financial benefits, but the reality is that it comes with instability, frequent relocation, and fewer benefits than many other professions. Technical writing is not the glamorous job many of us were led to believe it would be. Instead, it’s a demanding, ever-changing role that requires a deep well of knowledge, adaptability, and perseverance. For technical writers to thrive, companies must adjust wages to better reflect the difficulties the profession entails—especially the frequent relocations and lack of long-term security.

In short, while technical writing can be a solid career, it comes with significant challenges that need to be addressed in both wage calculations and job stability.