TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:UNDERPAID From:"M. David Orr" <whitears -at- INTERACCESS -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 25 Jun 1998 13:53:38 -0500
In 1983 I got my first tech writing contract IM March for $1200. The manual
ended up being 120 pages--that's $10.00 a page or about $3.33 an hour.
Beginning tech writers were making $15,000 to $20,000 plus benefits then,
and beginning contractors about $20 an hour (experienced $30 to $40 an
hour). Did I get shafted? No, because I was trading money for an
opportunity.
I took the manual I wrote and got my next project for $20 an hour because I
had something to show. Within four months of the first project, I had
projects for $30 an hour and $40 an hour.
I think UNDERPAID should avoid playing victim and just calmly prepare for
the next phase--asking for more money at the same place or going to a
different place. Taking the salary issue personally can only cause harm.
----
M. David Orr
Orr & Associates/Usability Management
7366 N. Lincoln Ave., Suite 101
Lincolnwood, IL, USA 60646
Phone: 847-6771920
Fax: 847-677-7878
Mailto: whitears -at- orrnet -dot- com
Web site: http://www.orrnet.com