2012 2013 Salary Database

PREVIEW REPORT 2012 2013 Salary Database Using 2012 Data

Summary STC s 2012 2013 Salary Database Preview Report Technical Writer Employment 2012 The number of technical writers employed in the United States increased by 1,040 in 2012, a 2.3 percent increase from the previous year and just 90 fewer than the increase in 2011. This marks the first time the profession reported two consecutive years of positive job gains since 2007 2008. However, despite continued strong demand for technical writers, the profession has yet to regain all of the jobs lost to the 2007 2009 Recession. The 46,160 technical writers employed in 2012 remains 1,300 fewer than the 47,460 peak employment level recorded by the profession in 2008. Nonetheless, 2012 marked the fourth year in the last five that the market for technical writers outperformed the labor market in total. The entire workforce grew by only 1.6 percent from 2011 to 2012. Technical writers continue to fare better than other writing professions as well. In 2012, only interpreters and translators (+4.9 percent) and writers and authors (+2.6 percent) posted faster job gains. Aside from interpreters and translators, who have greatly benefited from the growth in exports, technical writers have come closest of all communications professions to returning to pre-recession job levels. Technical Writer Employment Bouncing Back Faster than for Other Writers Percent of Pre-recession Employment 150 120 90 60 30 0 88.3% 89.1% 93.5% 98.8% 94.8% 149.4% Reporters and Correspondents Public Relations Specialists Editors Technical Writers Writers and Autors Translators The Growing Importance of Foreign Trade Technical communication specialists should take note of the growing importance of foreign markets to the U.S. economy demonstrated by the surge in interpretation and translation services. While the economy in real dollar terms (i.e., after accounting for inflation) has more than recovered from the declines posted in 2008 and 2009, its makeup has undergone some fundamental changes. Most significantly, foreign markets have steadily become more important to the future of U.S. businesses with overseas sales growing even through the recession. Exports share of total economic activity has grown by nearly 50 percent over the past decade, from 9.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2002 to 13.5 percent in 2012. Total trade, which includes the value of imports in addition to exports, was equal to one-third of GDP in 2012, up from 23 percent a decade ago. Real dollar exports accounted for just over 40 percent of the entire growth in GDP since the recession began in 2007. Bigger Not Necessarily Better The economic shifts driven by the shape of the recovery, first discussed in the 2009 edition of the STC Salary Survey, are apparent in the changes in employment of technical writers by industry sector. Some of the industries with the largest technical writer employment in 2012 have experienced some of the largest sustained declines. Computer systems design services, while still one of the largest employers of technical writers, have shed over 1,400 jobs since 2008, a loss of more than one in every six jobs in an industry that at the beginning of the recession employed nearly 9,000 technical writers. Similarly, computer and electronic equipment manufacturers, which employed just over 4,000 technical writers in 2008, shed 210 jobs in 2012, nearly twice the 110 jobs added in 2011. Computer and electronic equipment manufacturers now employ 3,140, a loss of 22 percent of the jobs in the sector since 2008. Often mistakenly attributed to the off-shoring of electronic product manufacturing, these jobs have disappeared due to declining consumer sales of computers in favor of smart phones, which would be included in telecommunications, Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 2

Summary STC s 2012 2013 Salary Database Preview Report and efforts to design electronic products more intuitively easy to use by consumers, best demonstrated by Apple s introduction of Siri. The public sector, while still the seventh-largest employer of technical writers, accounting for 1,450 jobs in 2012, posted its first decline since the recovery began ending five consecutive years of increased technical writer employment. The continued fiscal crises at the state and local levels and slowing of civilian federal spending finally appears to have caught up with this traditional job engine for technical writers. The anticipated future cuts in defense spending could lead to more job losses for public-sector technical writers in 2013. Perhaps as a sign of the recovery taking hold or at least an end to the household credit crisis, credit intermediation services, which was among the top-ten fastest-growing industries in 2010 and 2011, actually reported a decline in the number of technical writers in 2012. More than offsetting those losses, however, are sharp gains in technical writer employment among professional services firms. Architect and engineering firms added 490 technical writers to their payrolls in 2012, an increase of 13.5 percent from an already strong 2011, a year in which these firms added 280 technical writer jobs. Employment services (temporary help providers) also posted a second consecutive strong year for hiring technical writers, adding 350 new positions to the 250 technical writers hired in 2011, which combined equate to a 21.7 percent increase in jobs in just two years. Other services supporting an expanded manufacturing sector include testing labs, whose 280 additional technical writers is equal to a 57 percent increase; and management, scientific, and technical consulting services, which added 320 new technical writer jobs in 2012. Demonstrating the shift to new job markets, only four of the ten industry sectors with the largest employment gains for technical writers employ more than 1,000 technical writers. Five of the industry sectors with the largest job gains were not even among the top 20 in terms of total employment. Industries with the Largest Technical Writer Job Gains in 2012 Industry Number of Technical Writers Change from 2011 Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services 4,070 490 Employment Services 2,490 350 Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services 4,080 320 Other Information Services 700 300 Testing Laboratories 770 280 Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers 720 230 Engineering Services 3,010 220 Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations 610 100 Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing 660 80 Educational Support Services 280 80 Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing 450 80 Similar trends appeared in the geographic distribution of technical writer jobs. Four of the states with the largest number of technical writers reported declines in employment in 2012. Of the ten states reporting the largest job increases only one, New Jersey, was also in the top-ten largest employers. Four states with the largest gains of technical writers in employment were not even in the top 20. The state posting the largest gain was Illinois, where 310 new jobs was double the number of technical writers lost in 2011. While some of the 2012 increase might have been due to the presidential election, no similar bump was observed in Massachusetts. In fact, the Bay State has experienced a steady erosion of technical writer jobs since 2008. By 2012, with 140 fewer technical writers than in 2008, Massachusetts had fallen from the third to the sixth largest employer of technical writers. Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 3

Summary STC s 2012 2013 Salary Database Preview Report States with the Largest Gains in Technical Writers in 2012 2012 Rank 1 State Number of Technical Writers Change from 2011 14 Illinois 1,170 310 17 Wisconsin 1,030 170 23 Arizona 830 160 24 Utah 660 140 13 North Carolina 1,320 110 22 Alabama 830 110 9 New Jersey 1,620 90 16 Minnesota 1,080 90 At the local level, the shifts are even more pronounced. Half of the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with the largest increases in technical writer jobs were not even in the top 20 job markets. Only two (Dallas, TX, and San Diego, CA) were in the top ten. What becomes more obvious when looking at the geographic detail is how increasingly dispersed technical writers have become. The number of metropolitan areas for which the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes data for technical writers has increased in each of the last four years. In 2012, BLS published technical writer employment data for 180 MSAs and Non-MSA municipalities, 12 more than just two years ago. Sixty-eight of the 140 MSAs for which there was data for both 2012 and 2011 reported job gains and 53 reported declines. Technical writer employment in the remaining 19 was unchanged. 19 Connecticut 980 70 33 West Virginia 290 60 1 Ranking by total number of technical writers employed in state Metropolitan Areas with Largest Employment Gains Rank Primary State Metropolitan Statistical Area Number of Technical Writers 2011 (number) 2011 (percent) 41 IL Lake County Kenosha County, IL WI Metropolitan Division 300 180 150.0% 6 TX Dallas Plano Irving, TX Metropolitan Division 980 160 19.5% 8 CA San Diego Carlsbad San Marcos, CA 930 160 20.8% 39 NC Charlotte Gastonia Rock Hill, NC SC 340 150 78.9% 11 MD Bethesda Rockville Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division 840 140 20.0% 17 IL Chicago Joliet Naperville, IL Metropolitan Division 660 130 24.5% 13 PA Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division 820 100 13.9% 21 AZ Phoenix Mesa Glendale, AZ 550 90 19.6% 27 CA Oakland Fremont Hayward, CA Metropolitan Division 460 90 24.3% 32 UT Salt Lake City, UT 400 90 29.0% Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 4

Maps 2012 Technical Writer Employment Technical writer jobs continue slow migration out of larger states. 50 to 150 151 to 500 501 to 1,000 1,001 to 2,000 2,001 and More No data Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 5

Maps Change in Technical Writer Jobs from 2011 (Number of Jobs) Fewer states reporting net losses of technical writer jobs and fewer reporting large gains. -40 to 0 1 to 10 11 to 50 51 to 100 101 and More No data Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 6

Maps 2011 2012 Median Annual Wage Change Fewer states reported lower median wages than in 2011 and more reported gains of $4,000 or more. -$1,000 and Less -$999 to $0 $1 to $1,000 $1,001 to $4,000 $4,001 and More No data Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 7

Maps 2010 2011 Employment Change in Selected MSAs Larger technical writer job centers reported the most job losses. Milwaukee Hartford Pittsburgh Newark Salt Lake City San Jose Indianapolis Huntsville Charlotte -150 to 0 1 to 50 51 to 100 101 or More Houston Tampa Orlando Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 8

Maps 2011 2012 Median Annual Wage Change in Dollars in Selected MSAs Some of the largest technical writer job markets reported the sharpest wage declines. Milwaukee Pittsburgh Newark San Jose Salt Lake City Indianapolis Denver Wichita Huntsville Charlotte -$5,000 or Less -$4,999 to $0 $1 to $2,500 $2,501 and More Houston Tampa Orlando Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 9

Geography Section 2012 State Rankings by Number of Technical Writers Average State Employment 2011 (number) 2011 (percent) Annual Wage 2011 (dollars) 2011 (percent) United States 46,160 1,040 2.3% $67,910 $630 0.9% California 5,800-110 -1.9% $81,880 -$2,500-3.0% Texas 3,470 50 1.5% $63,350 $3,240 5.4% Virginia 2,910 30 1.0% $74,380 -$1,930-2.5% Maryland 2,050 50 2.5% $73,700 $3,700 5.3% New York 2,050 50 2.5% $67,480 $700 1.0% Massachusetts 1,870-90 -4.6% $79,900 -$2,160-2.6% Florida 1,780-40 -2.2% $60,250 $3,900 6.9% Pennsylvania 1,690 50 3.0% $67,700 $1,040 1.6% New Jersey 1,620 90 5.9% $72,260 $790 1.1% Washington 1,620 10 0.6% $82,780 $3,330 4.2% Michigan 1,440-20 -1.4% $60,790 $1,010 1.7% Colorado 1,370 50 3.8% $64,820 -$780-1.2% North Carolina 1,320 110 9.1% $70,170 $1,480 2.2% Illinois 1,170 310 36.0% $62,970 -$810-1.3% Ohio 1,090-10 -0.9% $55,740 -$1,190-2.1% Minnesota 1,080 90 9.1% $62,250 -$1,160-1.8% Wisconsin 1,030 170 19.8% $53,290 $860 1.6% Georgia 1,010-80 -7.3% $66,950 -$640-0.9% Connecticut 980 70 7.7% $76,770 $5,100 7.1% District of Columbia 940 50 5.6% $64,720 $460 0.7% Missouri 890-70 -7.3% $61,460 $4,370 7.7% Alabama 830 110 15.3% $56,740 -$340-0.6% Arizona 830 160 23.9% $61,490 -$360-0.6% Utah 660 140 26.9% $64,740 $7,280 12.7% Kansas 640-100 -13.5% $54,580 $2,210 4.2% Indiana 630 10 1.6% $55,550 -$1,700-3.0% Oregon 570 0 0.0% $73,660 $4,100 5.9% Iowa 550 40 7.8% $50,510 $1,290 2.6% Oklahoma 460-110 -19.3% $54,640 $2,940 5.7% Tennessee 420-60 -12.5% $57,550 -$80-0.1% New Mexico 390 40 11.4% $61,420 $6,010 10.8% Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 10

Geography Section 2012 State Rankings by Number of Technical Writers, cont. Average State Employment 2011 (number) 2011 (percent) Annual Wage 2011 (dollars) 2011 (percent) Rhode Island 290 N/A 2011 N/A 2011 $67,670 $1,530 2.3% West Virginia 290 60 26.1% $58,960 $6,710 12.8% South Carolina 270-120 -30.8% $58,290 -$2,720-4.5% Kentucky 260 10 4.0% $54,210 $3,530 7.0% Nebraska 250 10 4.2% $51,130 $320 0.6% Idaho 220 0 0.0% $59,870 $3,910 7.0% Nevada 190 0 0.0% $59,980 $5,780 10.7% New Hampshire 180 0 0.0% $68,130 -$2,950-4.2% Louisiana 170 40 30.8% $56,370 $3,230 6.1% Delaware 130 0 0.0% $63,990 -$1,500-2.3% Arkansas 110 0 0.0% $44,920 $610 1.4% Puerto Rico 100 10 11.1% $37,570 $260 0.7% Vermont 100-10 -9.1% $61,720 $4,360 7.6% Maine 90 20 28.6% $50,360 -$220-0.4% Mississippi 90 10 12.5% $49,570 $1,740 3.6% Alaska 70 10 16.7% $69,090 $6,360 10.1% Montana 70-40 -36.4% $61,520 $630 1.0% Hawaii 60-10 -14.3% $61,100 -$1,920-3.0% North Dakota 60 10 20.0% $40,660 -$2,080-4.9% South Dakota 60-10 -14.3% $42,600 $310 0.7% Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 11

Geography Section 2011 State Rankings by Number of Technical Writers State Employment 2010 (number) 2010 (percent) Average Annual Wage 2010 (dollars) 2010 (percent) United States 45,120 1,130 2.6% $67,280 $1,040 1.6% California 5,910 90 1.5% $84,380 $3,220 6.0% Texas 3,420 80 2.4% $60,110 $2,470 4.1% Virginia 2,880 30 1.1% $76,310 -$960-1.5% Maryland 2,000 80 4.2% $70,000 -$1,350-3.0% New York 2,000 130 7.0% $66,780 $1,650 2.0% Massachusetts 1,960-50 -2.5% $82,060 $1,800 2.8% Florida 1,820 120 7.1% $56,350 $9,780 15.8% Pennsylvania 1,640 90 5.8% $66,660 $2,900 4.6% Washington 1,610 30 1.9% $79,450 $1,370 2.2% New Jersey 1,530-110 -6.7% $71,470 $680 1.2% Michigan 1,460-40 -2.7% $59,780 $2,440 3.7% Colorado 1,320 340 34.7% $65,600 $24,060 61.8% North Carolina 1,210 160 15.2% $68,690 $1,120 2.0% Ohio 1,100-90 -7.6% $56,930 $4,360 7.3% Georgia 1,090-60 -5.2% $67,590 $1,690 3.0% Minnesota 990 40 4.2% $63,410 -$4,890-9.0% Missouri 960 0 0.0% $57,090 $1,650 3.3% Connecticut 910 260 40.0% $71,670 -$2,570-4.8% District of Columbia 890-90 -9.2% $64,260 $200 0.4% Illinois 860-160 -15.7% $63,780 -$1,870-3.6% Wisconsin 860 100 13.2% $52,430 $1,710 2.5% Kansas 740 120 19.4% $52,370 $790 1.0% Alabama 720-10 -1.4% $57,080 $1,670 2.9% Arizona 670 70 11.7% $61,850 $450 0.7% Indiana 620 50 8.8% $57,250 $5,450 12.9% Oklahoma 570 120 26.7% $51,700 $1,290 2.3% Oregon 570-10 -1.7% $69,560 N/A 2010 N/A 2010 Utah 520 0 0.0% $57,460 $760 1.5% Iowa 510-40 -7.3% $49,220 $3,760 7.5% Tennessee 480 70 17.1% $57,630 -$4,210-5.6% South Carolina 390-40 -9.3% $61,010 -$740-1.0% Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 12

Geography Section 2011 State Rankings by Number of Technical Writers, cont. State Employment 2010 (number) 2010 (percent) Average Annual Wage 2010 (dollars) 2010 (percent) New Mexico 350 30 9.4% $55,410 -$3,970-6.7% Kentucky 250 10 4.2% $50,680 -$940-1.4% Nebraska 240-20 -7.7% $50,810 -$280-0.4% West Virginia 230 140 155.6% $52,250 $950 2.3% Idaho 220-10 -4.3% $55,960 $1,630 2.9% Nevada 190-30 -13.6% $54,200 $4,390 9.3% New Hampshire 180 10 5.9% $71,080 $860 1.3% Delaware 130 20 18.2% $65,490 $1,940 3.0% Louisiana 130-40 -23.5% $53,140 $970 1.5% Arkansas 110-20 -15.4% $44,310 $3,880 6.8% Montana 110-10 -8.3% $60,890 -$2,320-5.2% Vermont 110-20 -15.4% $57,360 -$1,940-3.3% Puerto Rico 90-20 -18.2% $37,310 -$490-0.8% Mississippi 80-10 -11.1% $47,830 $600 1.1% Hawaii 70 N/A 2010 N/A 2010 $63,020 $860 1.5% Maine 70 10 16.7% $50,580 -$310-0.4% South Dakota 70 10 16.7% $42,290 $600 0.8% Alaska 60-30 -33.3% $62,730 $5,280 11.2% North Dakota 50 0 0.0% $42,740 -$1,080-2.0% Rhode Island N/A 2011 N/A 2011 N/A 2011 $66,140 $1,490 4.2% Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 13

Geography Section CSA Rankings by Number of Technical Writers (Annual) Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) are the 11 largest metropolitan markets in the United States, often overlapping into several states. They are generally considered single labor markets. Primary State Combined Statistical Area (CSA) Employment (number) (percent) Average Annual Wage (dollars) 2012 United States 46,160 1,040 2.3% $67,910 $630 DC Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 4,020 110 2.8% $74,990 -$1,090 NY New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA 2,700 60 2.3% $72,360 $1,070 MA Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH 1,810-20 -1.1% $80,420 -$2,140 CA Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA 1,500-100 -6.3% $73,650 -$7,820 WA Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 1,300 60 4.8% $86,590 $2,840 TX Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,220 140 13.0% $62,250 -$880 CA San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 1,170-430 -26.9% $91,480 $10,010 PA Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,130 130 13.0% $70,670 -$220 IL Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL-IN-WI 1,000 330 49.3% $64,240 -$1,250 MI Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI 930 70 8.1% $63,280 -$920 FL Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL 390 0 0.0% $61,060 $3,480 2011 United States 45,120 1,130 2.6% $67,280 $1,040 DC Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 3,910-110 -2.7% $76,080 $2,410 NY New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA 2,640 20 0.8% $71,290 -$880 MA Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH 1,830-80 -4.2% $82,560 $700 CA Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA 1,600-20 -1.2% $81,470 -$10 WA Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 1,240-20 -1.6% $83,750 $1,370 CA San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 1,120 90 8.7% $81,550 $1,110 TX Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,080-110 -9.2% $63,130 -$1,180 PA Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,000 30 3.1% $70,890 $970 MI Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI 860 210 32.3% $64,200 $1,290 IL Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL-IN-WI 670-110 -14.1% $65,490 $5,110 FL Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL 390-40 -9.3% $57,580 -$430 Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 14

Geography Section Ten Largest MSAs by Number of Technical Writers A metropolitan statistical area, or MSA, provides employment and salary data for smaller geographic regions within a CSA. Change Change Average Change Change Annual Annual Median Annual Annual 2012 2011 Primary from 2011 from 2011 Annual from 2011 from 2011 Wage 10th Wage 25th Annual Wage 75th Wage 90th Rank Rank State Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Employment (percent) (number) Wage (percent) (dollars) Percentile Percentile Wage Percentile Percentile 1 1 DC Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division 3,180-30 -0.9% $74,960 -$1,960-2.5% $39,610 $54,510 $73,710 $92,900 $112,480 2 2 NY New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division 1,350-50 -3.6% $71,820 $1,090 1.5% $31,270 $48,350 $71,750 $93,180 $111,670 3 4 MA Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA NECTA Division 1,270 50 4.1% $81,000 -$2,090-2.5% $50,140 $60,710 $80,320 $98,540 $114,890 4 5 WA Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division 1,270 70 5.8% $87,230 $3,010 3.6% $57,380 $72,570 $88,540 $105,170 $116,980 5 3 CA San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 1,200-140 -10.4% $96,000 -$5,330-5.3% $57,670 $76,660 $99,690 $115,460 $134,100 6 11 TX Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metropolitan Division 980 160 19.5% $64,260 -$1,380-2.1% $37,910 $49,070 $65,470 $76,720 $90,920 7 6 CA Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division 970-140 -12.6% $76,600 -$11,780-13.3% $51,800 $61,750 $73,710 $90,410 $108,140 8 12 CA San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA 930 160 20.8% $72,730 -$5,130-6.6% $49,800 $60,250 $70,720 $85,680 $97,320 9 10 MN Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 890 70 8.5% $63,750 -$1,540-2.4% $40,480 $50,410 $61,850 $77,330 $91,470 10 N/A 2011 CO Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO 850 N/A 2011 N/A 2011 $65,700 -$1,190-1.8% $41,760 $49,980 $65,710 $76,300 $94,550 11 16 MD Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division 840 140 20.0% $75,100 $2,860 4.0% $45,830 $58,530 $76,000 $90,980 $103,880 11 7 TX Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX 840-50 -5.6% $61,800 $3,930 6.8% $39,260 $49,050 $62,610 $74,070 $87,570 Change Change Average Change Change Annual Annual Median Annual Annual 2011 2010 Primary from 2010 from 2010 Annual from 2010 from 2010 Wage 10th Wage 25th Annual Wage 75th Wage 90th Rank Rank State Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Employment (percent) (number) Wage (percent) (dollars) Percentile Percentile Wage Percentile Percentile 1 1 DC Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division 3,210-3.0% -100 $76,920 3.5% $2,600 $41,640 $60,740 $74,800 $93,780 $113,050 2 2 NY New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division 1,400-7.9% -120 $70,730-0.8% -$580 $31,540 $46,910 $69,430 $89,570 $108,700 3 3 CA San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 1,340 0.0% 0 $101,330 4.6% $4,430 $65,180 $84,400 $104,610 $119,070 $138,160 4 4 MA Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA NECTA Division 1,220-5.4% -70 $83,090 0.7% $550 $54,130 $66,300 $82,200 $99,470 $113,670 5 5 WA Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division 1,200-1.6% -20 $84,220 1.5% $1,220 $55,110 $68,590 $85,380 $102,820 $114,910 6 6 CA Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division 1,110-1.8% -20 $88,380-0.7% -$620 $52,100 $62,640 $77,700 $100,330 $166,400 7 11 TX Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX 890 17.1% 130 $57,870-3.4% -$2,010 $37,630 $46,360 $58,100 $69,620 $76,680 8 7 GA Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA 870-2.2% -20 $69,250 1.7% $1,140 $45,060 $57,830 $69,680 $81,700 $93,470 9 9 MD Baltimore-Towson, MD 860 6.2% 50 $69,730 2.8% $1,910 $42,380 $56,220 $68,730 $83,210 $98,100 10 7 TX Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metropolitan Division 820-7.9% -70 $65,640-2.9% -$1,930 $34,860 $50,750 $67,120 $81,080 $93,940 10 10 MN Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 820 5.1% 40 $65,290 0.0% -$30 $42,800 $51,640 $63,760 $77,560 $91,980 Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 15

Geography Section Metropolitan Areas with Largest Job Gains Primary State Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Employment 2011 (Number) 2011 (Percent) Average Annual Wage 2011 (Dollars) 2011 (Percent) 2012 United States 46,160 1,040 2.3% $67,910 $630 0.9% IL Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division 300 180 150.0% $67,640 $540 0.8% CA San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA 930 160 20.8% $72,730 -$5,130-6.6% TX Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metropolitan Division 980 160 19.5% $64,260 -$1,380-2.1% NC Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC 340 150 78.9% $64,350 $310 0.5% MD Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division 840 140 20.0% $75,100 $2,860 4.0% IL Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL Metropolitan Division 660 130 24.5% $63,520 -$1,840-2.8% PA Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division 820 100 13.9% $73,830 -$30 0.0% AZ Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ 550 90 19.6% $60,770 -$640-1.0% CA Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA Metropolitan Division 460 90 24.3% $97,030 $16,150 20.0% UT Salt Lake City, UT 400 90 29.0% $69,360 $11,120 19.1% CT Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT 210 70 50.0% $74,490 $8,880 13.5% MN Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 890 70 8.5% $63,750 -$1,540-2.4% NM Albuquerque, NM 280 70 33.3% $58,980 $5,300 9.9% NY Rochester, NY 170 70 70.0% $61,610 -$740-1.2% VA Richmond, VA 240 70 41.2% $65,200 $3,960 6.5% WA Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division 1,270 70 5.8% $87,230 $3,010 3.6% 2011 United States 45,120 1,130 2.6% $67,280 $1,040 1.6% CT Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT 420 200 90.9% N/A 2011 N/A 2011 N/A 2011 MI Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI Metropolitan Division 580 170 41.5% $64,230 $1,570 2.5% NC Raleigh-Cary, NC 590 140 31.1% $66,120 -$4,340-6.2% TX Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX 890 130 17.1% $57,870 -$2,010-3.4% NY Nassau-Suffolk, NY Metropolitan Division 330 120 57.1% $61,040 -$6,480-9.6% AZ Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ 460 100 27.8% $61,410 -$1,170-1.9% CA San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA Metropolitan Division 740 90 13.8% $81,880 $2,580 3.3% FL Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 340 90 36.0% $54,710 -$3,300-5.7% RI Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA 250 90 56.3% $67,160 $1,210 1.8% FL Jacksonville, FL 160 70 77.8% $57,160 $3,080 5.7% VA Charlottesville, VA 120 70 140.0% $59,300 -$11,240-15.9% TN Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN 180 60 50.0% $57,210 -$3,710-6.1% CA San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA 770 50 6.9% $77,860 $100 0.1% CT Norwich-New London, CT-RI 250 50 25.0% $65,570 $7,340 12.6% DE Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division 140 50 55.6% $66,400 $2,410 3.8% MD Baltimore-Towson, MD 860 50 6.2% $69,730 $1,910 2.8% Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 16

Geography Section Metropolitan Areas with Largest Wage Gains Primary State Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Employment 2011 (Number) 2011 (Percent) Average Annual Wage 2011 (Dollars) 2011 (Percent) 2012 United States 46,160 1,040 2.3% $67,910 $630 0.9% CT New Haven, CT 50 10 25.0% $86,410 $21,070 32.2% FL Jacksonville, FL 130-30 -18.8% $74,600 $17,440 30.5% CA Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA Metropolitan Division 460 90 24.3% $97,030 $16,150 20.0% UT Salt Lake City, UT 400 90 29.0% $69,360 $11,120 19.1% CA San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA 30-10 -25.0% $97,050 $10,610 12.3% MI Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI 70-30 -30.0% $56,190 $8,930 18.9% CT Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT 210 70 50.0% $74,490 $8,880 13.5% NV Las Vegas-Paradise, NV 110-10 -8.3% $60,170 $8,610 16.7% AK Anchorage, AK 50 10 25.0% $69,430 $7,850 12.7% MA Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, MA-NH NECTA Division 150 0 0.0% $91,030 $6,760 8.0% 2011 United States 45,120 1,130 2.6% $67,280 $1,040 1.6% HI Honolulu, HI 70 N/A 2010 N/A 2010 $62,120 $23,850 62.3% OH Dayton, OH 110-130 -54.2% $60,590 $13,550 28.8% IL Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division 120 N/A 2010 N/A 2010 $67,100 $13,260 24.6% SC Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC 50-50 -50.0% $52,740 $11,370 27.5% TX Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX 60 20 50.0% $57,650 $8,740 17.9% CT Norwich-New London, CT-RI 250 50 25.0% $65,570 $7,340 12.6% CA San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA 40 0 0.0% $86,440 $6,590 8.3% NC Durham-Chapel Hill, NC 230 20 9.5% $84,910 $6,400 8.2% MD Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV N/A 2011 N/A 2011 N/A 2011 $55,820 $6,200 12.5% OK Oklahoma City, OK 310 50 19.2% $55,340 $6,030 12.2% OH Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN 240-20 -7.7% $59,640 $6,000 11.2% Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 17

Industry Section Ten Largest Industries for Technical Writers NAICS Code Industry Sector Employment 2012 (number) (percent) Average Annual Wage (dollars) (percent) All Industries 46,160 1,040 2.3% $67,910 $630 0.9% 541500 Computer Systems Design and Related Services 7,450-280 -3.6% $70,820 $630 0.9% 541600 Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services 4,080 320 8.5% $67,250 $140 0.2% 541300 Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services 4,070 490 13.7% $66,550 $600 0.9% 541330 Engineering Services 3,010 220 7.9% $67,510 $20 0.0% 561300 Employment Services 2,490 350 16.4% $71,330 $1,540 2.2% 511200 Software Publishers 2,430-80 -3.2% $78,110 $440 0.6% 541700 Scientific Research and Development Services 2,190-40 -1.8% $71,040 $3,160 4.7% 541710 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences 2,040 50 2.5% $72,080 $2,520 3.6% 336400 Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing 1,440-30 -2.0% $68,040 $2,200 3.3% 334500 Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing 1,390 20 1.5% $68,170 $2,340 3.6% 2011 All Industries 45,120 1,130 2.6% $67,280 $1,040 1.6% 541500 Computer Systems Design and Related Services 7,730-580 -7.0% $70,190 $1,990 2.9% 541600 Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services 3,760 410 12.2% $67,110 -$290-0.4% 541300 Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services 3,580 280 8.5% $65,950 $1,200 1.9% 541330 Engineering Services 2,790 200 7.7% $67,490 $1,420 2.1% 511200 Software Publishers 2,510-40 -1.6% $77,670 $1,860 2.5% 541700 Scientific Research and Development Services 2,230 330 17.4% $67,880 $1,740 2.6% 561300 Employment Services 2,140 250 13.2% $69,790 $3,490 5.3% 541710 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences 1,990 280 16.4% $69,560 $2,140 3.2% 336400 Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing 1,470 120 8.9% $65,840 $2,800 4.4% 334500 Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing 1,370 120 9.6% $65,830 $410 0.6% Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 18

Industry Section Ten Highest-Paying Industries for Technical Writers NAICS Code Industry Sector Employment 2012 2011 (number) (percent) Average Annual Wage (dollars) (percent) All Industries 46,160 1,040 2.3% $67,910 $630 0.9% 517200 Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) 40 0 0.0% $75,760 -$11,000-12.7% 221100 Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution 170 20 13.3% $104,100 N/A 2011 N/A 2011 511200 Software Publishers 2,430-80 -3.2% $78,110 $440 0.6% 517900 Other Telecommunications 30 N/A 2011 N/A 2011 $74,150 N/A 2011 N/A 2011 336500 Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing 70 10 16.7% $76,320 $1,760 2.4% 425100 Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers 720 230 46.9% $78,110 $4,060 5.5% 999100 Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) 1,080-50 -4.4% $76,060 $480 0.6% 334100 Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing 540-230 -29.9% $76,200 -$6,720-8.1% 423600 Household Appliances and Electrical and Electronic Goods Merchant Wholesalers 130 0 0.0% $71,610 -$8,330-10.4% 334200 Communications Equipment Manufacturing 480-50 -9.4% $76,200 $1,970 2.7% All Industries 45,120 1,130 2.6% $67,280 $1,040 1.6% 517200 Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) 40-10 -20.0% $86,760 $2,030 2.4% 423600 Electrical and Electronic Goods Merchant Wholesalers 130-50 -27.8% $79,940 $3,290 4.3% 334100 Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing 770-40 -4.9% $82,920 -$40 0.0% 425100 Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers 490 110 28.9% $74,050 $3,620 5.1% 511200 Software Publishers 2,510-40 -1.6% $77,670 $1,860 2.5% 336500 Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing 60 N/A 2010 N/A 2010 $74,560 N/A 2010 N/A 2010 999100 Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) 1,130 40 3.7% $75,580 -$870-1.1% 541200 Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services 120-30 -20.0% $69,360 -$2,610-3.6% 334600 Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media 50-20 -28.6% $71,370 $1,760 2.5% 515200 Cable and Other Subscription Programming N/A 2011 N/A 2011 N/A 2011 $67,470 $3,250 5.1% Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 19

Industry Section Industries with Largest Job Gains NAICS Code Industry Sector Employment 2012 2011 (number) (percent) Average Annual Wage (dollars) (percent) All Industries 46,160 1,040 2.3% $67,910 $630 0.9% 541300 Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services 4,070 490 13.7% $66,550 $600 0.9% 561300 Employment Services 2,490 350 16.4% $71,330 $1,540 2.2% 541600 Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services 4,080 320 8.5% $67,250 $140 0.2% 519100 Other Information Services (including libraries/archives, news syndicates, and Internet publishing services) 700 300 75.0% $71,470 $4,880 7.3% 541380 Testing Laboratories 770 280 57.1% $66,260 $4,730 7.7% 425100 Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers 720 230 46.9% $78,110 $4,060 5.5% 541330 Engineering Services 3,010 220 7.9% $67,510 $20 0.0% 813900 Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations 610 100 19.6% $60,530 -$3,410-5.3% 334400 Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing 660 80 13.8% $71,460 $20 0.0% 611700 Educational Support Services 280 80 40.0% $59,320 $2,320 4.1% 333100 Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing 450 80 21.6% $55,250 $4,260 8.4% All Industries 45,120 1,130 2.6% $67,280 $1,040 1.6% 541600 Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services 3,760 410 12.2% $67,110 -$290-0.4% 541700 Scientific Research and Development Services 2,230 330 17.4% $67,880 $1,740 2.6% 541300 Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services 3,580 280 8.5% $65,950 $1,200 1.9% 541710 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences 1,990 280 16.4% $69,560 $2,140 3.2% 561300 Employment Services 2,140 250 13.2% $69,790 $3,490 5.3% 541330 Engineering Services 2,790 200 7.7% $67,490 $1,420 2.1% 518200 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services 1,000 170 20.5% $68,810 $2,490 3.8% 522100 Depository Credit Intermediation 380 170 81.0% $51,360 -$3,220-5.9% 336400 Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing 1,470 120 8.9% $65,840 $2,800 4.4% 334500 Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing 1,370 120 9.6% $65,830 $410 0.6% 524100 Insurance Carriers 680 120 21.4% $60,190 $300 0.5% Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 20

Industry Section Industries with Largest Wage Gains NAICS Code Industry Sector Employment (number) (percent) Average Annual Wage (dollars) (percent) 2012 All Industries 46,160 1,040 2.3% $67,910 $630 0.9% 221000 Utilities 190 20 11.8% $102,830 $13,710 15.4% 454000 Nonstore Retailers 60 10 20.0% $69,260 $12,760 22.6% 424000 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 160 50 45.5% $62,800 $11,100 21.5% 238000 Specialty Trade Contractors 30-10 -25.0% $70,210 $6,100 9.5% 488000 Support Activities for Transportation 130-20 -13.3% $60,560 $5,150 9.3% 519000 Other Information Services 700 300 75.0% $71,470 $4,880 7.3% 624000 Social Assistance 160 30 23.1% $50,390 $4,680 10.2% 425000 Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers 720 230 46.9% $78,110 $4,060 5.5% 335000 Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing 280-10 -3.4% $56,540 $3,180 6.0% 339000 Miscellaneous Manufacturing 330-20 -5.7% $66,700 $2,580 4.0% 2011 All Industries 45,120 1,130 2.6% $67,280 $1,040 1.6% 221000 Utilities 170 10 6.3% $89,120 $9,550 12.0% 481000 Air Transportation 150-30 -16.7% $64,430 $7,310 12.8% 238000 Specialty Trade Contractors 40 0 0.0% $64,110 $4,930 8.3% 488000 Support Activities for Transportation 150 50 50.0% $55,410 $4,340 8.5% 325000 Chemical Manufacturing 860-270 -23.9% $70,000 $3,830 5.8% 425000 Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers 490 110 28.9% $74,050 $3,620 5.1% 561000 Administrative and Support Services 2,590 130 5.3% $68,060 $3,610 5.6% 519000 Other Information Services 400-30 -7.0% $66,590 $3,550 5.6% 336000 Transportation Equipment Manufacturing 1,840 210 12.9% $64,920 $3,460 5.6% 622000 Hospitals 330 70 26.9% $68,630 $3,260 5.0% Society for Technical Communication Salary Database 2012 2013 Preview Report 21