How to Get Hired as a Technical Writer

Looking for tech writing jobs that actually pay well — and don’t require you to write 14 pages about a toaster’s firmware update?

You’re in the right place.

I used to do a ton of technical writing. Tutorials for dev teams. White papers on software workflows. Even the occasional cybersecurity deep-dive that made me question every smart device in my apartment. Back in my early copywriting days, technical writing helped me build my freelance income — and sharpen my skills explaining complex ideas clearly (without boring people to death).

And here’s the thing: tech writing isn’t marketing. Your job is to help readers understand, not necessarily buy. That means your readers care more about accuracy and clarity than cheeky slogans. And if you secretly love a good documentation structure or get excited when someone says “API spec,” congratulations — you’re probably built for this niche.

So how do you break into this world — and make it work as a freelancer?

Let’s dive in.

What’s the Difference Between Freelance Technical Writing and Full-Time Tech Writer Jobs?

It all comes down to freedom vs. stability — or at least the illusion of it.

Sure, a full-time technical writer job might come with a salary and PTO. But if you get laid off? That’s 100% of your income gone overnight. In contrast, freelance technical writers can spread risk across multiple clients. Lose one? You’ve still got others. You can also raise your rates, take time off when you want, and stop working with clients who don’t respect your time.

Freelancing gives you options. And in an industry like tech — where projects shift fast and layoffs are common — those options can be the difference between burnout and long-term success.

Where’s the Best Place to Find Freelance Technical Writer Jobs?

You could spend hours crawling Indeed and LinkedIn. Or sign up for a dozen noisy freelance platforms, pay weird fees that include a percentage of your income, and pray the algorithm favors you this week.

Or… you could subscribe to my freelance writing job board.

Here’s what you get:

• Twice-weekly job roundups featuring fresh technical writer jobs and remote writing jobs across tech, medical, and research industries

• Featured jobs with direct links — no middlemen, no nonsense

• Early access to leads in our paid subscriber chat (often before they’re public!)

• Access to ClassStack, my archive of classes on freelancing strategy, writing systems, and mindset

• Entry into a smart, supportive freelance writing community

How Do I Build a High-Paying Freelance Technical Writing Career?

Freelance success isn’t just about finding clients — it’s about keeping them, growing them, and getting referrals from them.

Here’s what you need:

• A niche. Are you the go-to for SaaS documentation? Medical research summaries? Crypto white papers? Pick your lane.

• Professional systems. Contracts, onboarding forms, project timelines, invoicing tools — yes, even if you’re a “creative.”

• A clear personal brand. Your website and pitch should make it obvious who you help and how. Technical clients want clarity, not cutesy copy.

• An efficient workflow. From discovery calls to delivery, know how to communicate and manage revisions like a pro.

Freelancers who get paid well don’t just write well — they run a business well.

How Much Money Can I Make as a Freelance Technical Writer?

Let’s talk numbers.

According to industry data (from sources like Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, and freelance writing surveys):

• Hourly rates for freelance technical writers range from $50 to $150/hr, with specialized niches hitting $200+/hr

• Flat-rate deliverables can include:

  • $500–$1,500 for tutorials

  • $1,000–$5,000+ for whitepapers

  • $200–$800 for product documentation pages

  • $100/hour–$300/hour for API documentation and internal wikis

Tech clients often value precision over prose, which means if you can translate complexity into clarity, you’re golden.

What Skills Do I Need to Land High-Paying Tech Writer Jobs?

You don’t need to be an engineer. But you do need to be able to:

• Ask great questions and fill in the gaps

• Research efficiently and understand the tools you’re writing about

• Write clearly — and structure documents logically

• Use (or learn) tools like Notion, Markdown, Confluence, and GitHub

• Edit your own work (especially if you’re ghostwriting docs for non-native English speakers)

And if you’re really looking to stand out? Learn how to write for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Ready to Find Better Remote Writing Jobs as a Technical Writer?

Here’s your game plan:

1. Polish your personal brand — portfolio, LinkedIn, and a simple landing page go a long way.

2. Pick your niche and get confident pitching it.

3. Subscribe to my writing job board and get access to real, high-paying tech writer jobs.

You don’t have to spend months guessing or fighting with freelance platforms. You just need the right tools — and the right clients.

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