Re: hot tech writing mkt -- salaries skyrocketing?

[Peter Gold <pgold -at- NETCOM -dot- COM>]

If someone is worth high pay to a company, the pay should be equal to the
worth. Consider that exempt employees work many uncompensated hours and
carry much responsibility. If a tech writer is not worth his or her
salary, that person should not be working at your place, but trying to
drive the pay rate down just because it seems high is shameful. It's the
"I've been speaking prose all my life, so what's the big deal?" syndrome.
Software and hardware engineers are paid these rates and more and if they
are worth their pay, nobody wonders if there's a pinched labor market
causing the high rates.

My low priced ($.02) opinion.

Peter Gold
pgold -at- netcom -dot- com

On Tue, 1 Oct 1996, Susan Gallagher wrote:

> We're trying to recruit tech writers right now. Not only are we having a
> hard time getting people in the door  (we're in CA -- East Bay), but those
> coming in with 3+ experience are demanding at least 70K. Many want at least
> 75K. Perhaps it's networking writers in particular -- not sure.

> I'm not unwilling to pay this, however, it seems like tech writers are
> pulling the Mazda Miatta gig -- sell at whatever the buyer will pay. And
> pay they will right now -- I've discovered that tech writer openings are a
> dime a dozen.

> Are other tech pubs mgrs experiencing this?

> Susan

> --
> Susan Gallagher               Manager, Technical Publications
> susan -at- livingston -dot- com      Livingston Enterprises Inc.
>                                        http://www.livingston.com/