Technical Writers vs Software Developers salary

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that Technical Writers have an average annual salary of $81,470, whereas Software Developers earn an average of $120,990 annually. This indicates that Software Developers earn significantly more than Technical Writers.

However, it's important to mention that the salary of an employee can be influenced by factors such as location and experience. For example, Technical Writers working in Delaware (with a wage of $103,520 on average) may have higher salaries than those in Arkansas ($49,240). To provide another instance, Software Developers in California have an average income that is 76% higher compared to those in West Virginia.

Technical Writers vs Software Developers overview

Technical Writers and Software Developers are two important occupations in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry. There is a general interest in understanding the differences between these job titles, including the average salary for each of them.

Technical Writer job description

Technical Writers write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

Technical Writer education and experience

Among Technical Writers, 35% have obtained an Associate's Degree, 33% hold a Bachelor's Degree, and 16% have a College Course Certificate. With regard to experience, 39% of Technical Writer occupations require a 1 to 2 years of previous work-related experience. A smaller portion of roles (23%) require a previous experience of 4 to 6 years.

Technical Writer average salary

As stated by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States employed 47,620 Technical Writers in 2021, and the average income they earned annually was $81,470. The bottom 10 percent had earnings of $48,890 or less, and the top 10 percent had earnings of $125,010 or more. The average salary has an increase of 3.7% in comparison to the previous year.

Do Technical Writers make good money?

The mean salary of Technical Writers is 40% above the average pay in the United States ($58,260). However, they make 11% less than the mean salary of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry ($91,150).

The mean salary of Technical Writers is 40% above the average pay in the United States ($58,260).

Technical Writers job growth

Technical Writers have seen a decrease in employment over the past two years. In 2021, there have been 1,260 less job opportunities than the previous year across the nation, and that shows a decline of 2.6%. Over the past 3 years, job growth has averaged -1.8%.

Software Developer job description

Alternative names: Devops, Backend Developers, Computer Scientists

Software Developers research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

Software Developer average salary

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Software Developers employed by the United States in 2021 was 1.36M, and they earned an average of $120,990 per year. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $64,470 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $168,570 or more.

Do Software Developers make good money?

Software Developers are usually paid well, as their average salary is 108% higher than the average wage in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they earn about a third more than the average wage of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry ($91,150).

Software Developers are usually paid well, as their average salary is 108% higher than the average wage in the United States ($58,260).

FAQ

Do Technical Writers or Software Developers make more?

The average earnings of Software Developers are about a half higher than those of Technical Writers. On average, Technical Writers make $81,470 per year, while Software Developers make $120,990.