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> I guess my post was intended more as sarcasm on a Monday
> morning. Plus, I feel like it put a lot of unrealistic
> expectations in people's mind about Technical Writing.
>
> I'm in Denver and am making 60% less than that with a
> Master's degree and over 10 years experience. (I was making
> more previously; however, I was also a business analyst/SME.)
> I know I could make a lot more contracting; however, I feel I
> need the consistency of employment and medical benefits due
> to health issues.
The STC's Rocky Mtn. Chapter 2005 salary survey is available at:
Among permanent employees, almost 2/3 of the respondents had
senior-level non-supervisory positions, and they averaged 12.5 years
experience. The median income was $67,500, and it was the same for males
and females. But the 75th percentile income was $87,500 (also the same
for both sexes). So today, an income in the 90s or higher is certainly
above average, but not that unusual.
Salaries varied more by industry than they did by education, with only a
doctorate providing a significant salary jump. Computer hardware and
marketing/advertising averaged $87,500, while health/medical averaged
$50,000 (which surprised me).
Among contractors, the median hourly rate was $60. So an experienced
independent contractor can gross well over $100,000 and still have some
leisure time. :-)
Richard
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Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
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rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
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