Technical Writer
Explain technical ideas in a way people can actually understand.
What does a Technical Writer do?
Technical writers create documentation, guides, and tutorials that help people understand and use technical products. You bridge the gap between complex systems and the people who use them — making the hard stuff clear, concise, and approachable. No heavy coding required.
Who it fits
Strong writers who enjoy research, understanding systems, and explaining things clearly to different audiences.
Perfect for people who enjoy research, structure, and communicating complex ideas simply and clearly.
Skills you need
Tools you will use
Starter projects
Good projects to practise and add to a portfolio.
- Write docs for an open-source project
- Create a beginner guide to an API you use
- Document a project you built
- Rewrite confusing documentation for a tool you know
// ROADMAP
Technical Writer career roadmap
Estimated time: 4–8 months
Badges show what each resource is. Only items marked certification lead to a professional credential — everything else is learning material.
Writing Fundamentals
3–4 weeksClear writing is a learnable skill. Study plain language principles — short sentences, active voice, concrete examples. Google and Apple both publish excellent public writing guidelines.
Tools: Markdown, Git & Docs-as-Code
2–3 weeksMost technical documentation is written in Markdown and managed in Git. Learn both — they are simple but used universally. Docusaurus and GitBook are the most common publishing tools.
API Documentation
4–6 weeksAPI docs are the highest-paying technical writing specialism. Learn OpenAPI/Swagger, understand REST API concepts, and practise writing reference docs for real public APIs.
Build a Portfolio
OngoingContribute documentation to an open-source project. Rewrite confusing docs for a tool you know. Document your own projects thoroughly. A portfolio of real writing samples beats a CV.
Job Ready
2–4 weeksApply for technical writer roles at developer-focused companies, API companies, or open-source organisations. Developer advocate roles often start from strong technical writing.
// START LEARNING
Technical Writer learning resources
Videos first — they're the fastest way to get moving — then reading, hands-on practice and courses. Only resources badged professional certification award a formal credential.
Git & GitHub Crash Course 2025
Traversy Media · 1 hour
A current, practical introduction to version control and collaborative GitHub workflows.
Learning resource. This does not award a professional certification.
Technical Writing Course for Beginners
freeCodeCamp · 1 hour 10 minutes
Plan, structure and edit clear technical documentation for users and developers.
Learning resource. This does not award a professional certification.
Write the Docs Beginner’s Guide
Write the Docs
Community-maintained guidance on documentation planning, authoring, tools, workflows and career development.
Certificate availability depends on the course provider.
Technical Writing Courses
Google for Developers
Free courses for clearer sentences, structured documents, audience awareness and technical explanations.
Certificate availability depends on the course provider.
Learn OpenAPI
OpenAPI Initiative
Learn to describe HTTP APIs accurately using the OpenAPI specification and reusable schemas.
Learning resource. This does not award a professional certification.
// PRACTISE
Gain Technical Writer work experience
Build practical evidence before your first role. Provider terms and eligibility can change.
Extern · Remote company externships
externship · REMOTE
Work on structured real-company projects with flexible remote delivery.
GitHub · Good first issues
open-source · REMOTE
Find newcomer-labelled issues and build evidence of collaboration in public repositories.
Catchafire · Skills-based volunteer projects
volunteer-project · REMOTE
Use professional skills on scoped nonprofit projects and gather client-facing evidence.
// FIND WORK
Find Technical Writer jobs
Start with “Technical Writer”. Platforms without stable public search URLs open with this suggested phrase.
LinkedIn Jobs
Broad professional job search with keyword, location, experience-level and remote filters.
Wellfound
Startup and technology roles with company and compensation context.
Dice
Specialist technology roles across engineering, data, security and infrastructure.
Built In
Technology and startup job discovery, including remote and city-focused listings.
UK visa and international opportunities
Sponsorship depends on the employer, vacancy and current immigration rules. Use the linked official guidance and verify every role before applying.
Going independent
Technical writing freelancing has clear demand and accessible entry points. Developer documentation is the highest-paying niche and remote-friendly.
Freelance Technical Documentation
Low barrierWrite technical documentation, API references, and developer guides for software companies.
Examples
- API documentation for SaaS developer tools
- User guides for B2B software products
- Open-source project documentation
- Changelog and release note writing for product teams
Getting started
- 1. Build a portfolio by documenting a popular open-source project
- 2. List on Contra, Arc.dev, and Upwork with writing samples
- 3. Target developer tool companies — they have the highest documentation budgets
- 4. Rate at £35–£65/hour or £200–£500/day
Developer Content Writing
Low barrierWrite technical tutorials, blog posts, and documentation for developer-focused companies.
Examples
- Sponsored tutorials for AWS, Cloudflare, or similar platforms
- Technical blog content for developer tool companies
- Newsletter ghostwriting for senior engineers or CTOs
Getting started
- 1. Write 3–5 high-quality public tutorials on your own blog first
- 2. Apply to Write for Us programmes at developer companies (DigitalOcean, Linode)
- 3. Build a personal newsletter to showcase writing quality
- 4. Rate at £200–£500 per article depending on depth and subject matter
Communities & tools
// EARNING POTENTIAL
Earning potential
2025Salaries are lower than engineering roles but stable and growing. Developer-focused and API documentation writers earn at the top of the range.
Freelance rates
Day rate
£200–£500
Hourly rate
£28–£65
What affects salary
- API and developer documentation commands a 20–40% salary premium over general tech writing
- Coding ability (reading and writing basic code) increases options and value significantly
- Developer relations and advocacy roles are adjacent and typically pay more
- Open-source documentation contributions build portfolio and reputation
- Domain expertise in AI, cloud, or fintech adds significant value
🌍 US technical writers at Big Tech earn $100k–$150k+. Remote writing roles are widely available and often pay near US rates.
Based on: Society for Technical Communication Salary Survey · Glassdoor UK · LinkedIn Salary. All figures approximate.
// RESOURCES
Free resources to get started
Recommended starting points — no payment required.
- Course
- Community
- Reading
- Reading
- Reading
Paid courses worth considering
These are not required — free resources above can get you far.
- Course
- Course
Browse all resources
Resource directory.
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