Online Certified Technical Writer Training

Successful completion of the technical writing course includes a lesson on preparing for the Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) exam offered by the Society for Technical Communication (STC).

What you will learn

• Writing to meet the needs of your audience, including writing with clarity and focus
• The differences between technical writing and other types of writing
• Ethical issues in technical writing
• Advanced grammar rules and effective research methods
• Writing effectively for websites and social media
• Developing strategies to prepare for the Certified Professional Technical Communicator exam

How you will benefit

• Obtain a professional writing portfolio to showcase your work to current and potential employers
• Be prepared for technical writing jobs in a variety of industries like software companies, nonprofit organizations, marketing agencies and more
• Receive a certificate of completion and prepare to sit for the CPTC exam
• Acquire access to an Externship Starter Kit to walk you through what you need to know about getting an externship as a technical writer

Course Instructors

Janet Underwood is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience as a senior technical writer. Janet started her career as an English teacher. She then went on to work as an editor and writer for several internationally known trade publications before marrying her love of technology with her passion for writing to become a technical writer. Janet has developed technical documentation for major corporations in the computer, information technology, telecommunications, financial, medical industries, U.S. government agencies, and public utilities organizations. She has also written several books used as textbooks for college technical writing courses and has been an adjunct professor.

Lynn Atkinson earned a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in 1993 and an M.A. in English with an emphasis in rhetoric in 1996. A published writer and editor, including contributions to college textbooks, she considers her greatest accomplishment educating thousands of students at UTA, DeVry, Tarrant County College, Southeast Career Institute, and Everest College. She has also been nominated for and awarded "Outstanding Teacher" at several of these institutions. Lynn has developed or co-developed several writing curriculums, won writing contests and conducted over 10,000 hours of tutoring.

Certified Technical Writer FAQs

What is the average salary of a technical writer in Florida? 

A technical writer can expect to make an average salary of $63,323 in the state of Florida, as of September 2023. Salary levels vary widely in this field based on years of experience, education, and certifications. The top-earning technical writers in Florida currently make over $101,000 per year.  

What do certified technical writers do? 
According to the Society for Technical Communication, technical writers use text to explain detailed information about technical or specialized topics such as computer programs, medical terminology or government regulations. They write in a clear, direct and neutral style that makes complex or technical information accessible to a specific audience.

Is certification important for a technical writer?
Technical writers often work with some of the most prestigious and best-known organizations and brands in the world. Certifications like the CPTC signal to these top-tier employers and clients that a technical writer has made a significant commitment to their own development and professionalism. Certification differentiates a prospective employee or freelancer during the hiring process and indicates a professional who will continue to develop their skills over the long term.

Is technical writer a good choice for a remote or work-from-home (WFH) career?
Since technical writers can work online using technology tools and research, many develop robust freelance practices or work from home as employees. ZipRecruiter.com reports that technical writers commonly earn between $45-108,000 per year working remotely.

Technical Writers - Employment and Education

Technical writers prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects a 6% growth in the demand for technical writers between now and 2030. This is faster than average growth for all jobs. The BLS expects strong growth in scientific and technical products to drive demand for writers who can communicate sophisticated information clearly to users. 

Job Stats

• Job Outlook: 6% (As fast as average)
• Number of Jobs, 2021: 55,400
• Median Pay: $78,060 per year 

Source: June 2023