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Business Writer, Documentation Manager, Documentation Specialist, Specifications Writer, Technical Communicator, Technical Manual Writer, Technical Writer, Usability Specialist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Technical writers produce information for audiences ranging from novices to technical experts. To create an effective product, technical writers need to clarify its purpose and identify the audience that will consume it. Their work explains the installation, operation, and maintenance of:
They write:
Technical writers research the subjects they write about by consulting subject matter experts (SMEs). They interview SMEs to understand how to explain complex ideas or topics. Other ways to research their subjects include:
When producing their work, technical writers:
Depending on the work, technical writers may need to:
When managing their work, technical writers:
Technical writers may also develop a style guide outlining details including:
This helps to ensure that each document has a consistent appearance that supports readability. It also provides anyone who adds to the document with a guide to ensure continued consistency.
Technical writers may work full time, part time, or on a contract basis. They may work independently or as part of a team. The team may include:
Technical writers who work for mid-sized or large organizations often work standard office hours. Overtime is sometimes required to meet deadlines.
Contract writers working from home often work office hours as well. This allows them to attend online meetings and consultations with clients. They may need to work for long hours to complete projects on time. Many employers require contract writers to work in offices during normal business hours.
Meeting deadlines can be stressful.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Technical writers
2023 OaSIS: 51112.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Technical writers need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 33 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 19, 2021 and Nov 20, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 12 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Copy editing | 11 |
| Attention to detail | 9 |
| Personal Suitability: Flexibility | 9 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 8 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 8 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 8 |
| Tasks: Conduct research to establish factual content and to obtain other necessary information | 8 |
| Tasks: Co-ordinate project | 8 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent written communication | 8 |
There are no standard education requirements for technical writers. In general, they need to be strong writers with excellent grammar. They need to understand:
Technical writers also need:
Most employers prefer to hire writers with related post-secondary education or experience. However, the work writers have produced in previous jobs can be confidential. This makes it difficult for technical writers to show potential employers samples of their work.
Practical writing and design layout experience are assets. Technical writers may gain this experience through part-time or entry-level positions with corporate communications departments, publishing companies, or by doing web and mobile development work.
Volunteer work may provide opportunities to gain experience and build portfolios.
Technical writers must keep up with new communications technologies, such as those involving multimedia and the internet. An interest in emerging technologies can help technical writers develop and present information effectively.
Technical writers must keep their skills and knowledge current through professional development activities such as:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Technical writers may work for public organizations such as:
They may also work for businesses such as:
Experienced writers may advance to supervisory or management positions. They may move into self-employment or build their own businesses with contract workers or salaried employees. With the required knowledge and skills, they may move into related occupations. For more information, see these occupational profiles:
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Authors and writers
2016 NOC: 5121
75.2% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $24.00 | $42.67 | $33.64 | $33.65 |
| Overall | $24.85 | $52.50 | $37.60 | $40.87 |
| Top | $25.18 | $52.50 | $39.62 | $42.67 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $76,275 |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $79,064 |
| Public Administration | $83,188 |
Society for Technical Communication website: www.stc.org
Technology Alberta website: technologyalberta.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 27, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
