Society for Technical Communication - Australian Chapter

Survey of Australian Technical Communicators 2003

Preliminary Results

This survey was conducted by Jean Hollis Weber on behalf of the STC Australia chapter using the online service, SurveyKey.com, to provide information to Australian technical communicators about current salaries (or hourly rates) in relation to experience, qualifications and other factors. It was open to technical communicators living in Australia (employed or not).

The survey began on 15 May 2003, and was closed on 20 July 1003. In that time, 206 responses were received. Many thanks to everyone who participated.

The results follow the Data Collected .

Data collected

1) Gender
    Female = 101    49.03% 
    Male = 104    50.49% 
    No Answer = 1    0.49% 

2) Age
    29 years or under = 20    9.71% 
    30 to 39 years = 64    31.07% 
    40 to 49 years = 65    31.55% 
    50 years or over = 55    26.70% 
    No Answer = 2    0.97% 

3) Experience in technical communication
    Less than 2 years = 15    7.28% 
    2-5 years = 51    24.76% 
    6-10 years = 61    29.61% 
    11 years or more = 79    38.35% 
    No Answer = 0    0.00% 

4) Type of employment (select all that apply)
    Salaried = 116    56.31% 
    Consultant = 22    10.68% 
    Contract (includes freelance) = 78    37.86% 
    Not currently in paid employment = 10    4.85% 
    No Answer = 0    0.00% 

5) Main areas of work (select all that apply)
    Technical writing = 182    88.35% 
    Technical editing/copy editing = 123    59.71% 
    Indexing = 29    14.08% 
    Training = 66    32.04% 
    Documentation consulting = 93    45.15% 
    Website management/development = 82    39.81% 
    Project leading/team leading/people management = 45    21.84% 
    Quality assurance = 48    23.30% 
    Usability/accessibilty testing = 47    22.82% 
    Sales support (first or second level) = 8    3.88% 
    Knowledge management = 51    24.76% 
    Supervising/management = 32    15.53% 
    Other (please specify) = 48    23.30% 
    No Answer = 0    0.00% 

6) Main areas of work: other.

7) Formal education level (any field)
    No tertiary qualification = 21    10.19% 
    Diploma/certificate = 44    21.36% 
    Bachelors degree = 91    44.17% 
    Graduate diploma/certificate = 67    32.52% 
    Masters degree = 29    14.08% 
    Doctorate = 11    5.34% 
    No Answer = 2    0.97% 

8) If you hold a tertiary qualification, is it in
    A technical field (e.g. engineering, programming) = 65    31.55% 
    Technical communication, English or similar = 65    31.55% 
    Other (please specify) = 78    37.86% 
    No Answer = 29    14.08% 

9) Tertiary qualification, other field.

10) Training in technical writing (select all that apply)
    On your own = 146    70.87% 
    On-the-job informal mentoring = 113    54.85% 
    On-the-job formal mentoring/training = 44    21.36% 
    Private tutoring = 5    2.43% 
    Conferences/seminars/workshops = 110    53.40% 
    Tertiary course = 37    17.96% 
    Other (please specify) = 11    5.34% 
    No Answer = 4    1.94% 

11) Training in technical writing, other.

Trained by IBM America in the 70's
Information mapping (two people)
ASTC & AODC conferences
Correspondence course (Tutortex UK)
On-the-job (no mentoring)
Various short courses (several respondents
Workshops offered by editing societies & the state/territory writers' centre
TAFE - Diploma of Professional Writing & Editing
Adult Education
Internet courses
Honorary research fellowship in information management & systems


12) How many billable hours do you work in an average week? (If you are paid by the hour, please give billable hours; if you are on salary without overtime compensation, please give total hours.)
    10 or fewer hours = 11    5.34% 
    11-20 hours = 6    2.91% 
    21-30 hours = 14    6.80% 
    31-40 hours = 119    57.77% 
    41-50 hours = 47    22.82% 
    over 50 hours = 5    2.43% 
    No Answer = 4    1.94% 

13) How many non-billable hours do you work in an average week?
    10 or fewer hours = 132    64.08% 
    11-20 hours = 29    14.08% 
    21-30 hours = 7    3.40% 
    31-40 hours = 7    3.40% 
    41-50 hours = 5    2.43% 
    over 50 hours = 2    0.97% 
    No Answer = 24    11.65% 

14) Salary (A$), before tax.
    Not applicable = 21    10.19% 
    under $30,000 = 1    0.49% 
    $30,001-$40,000 = 7    3.40% 
    $40,001-$50,000 = 12    5.83% 
    $50,001-$60,000 = 38    18.45% 
    $60,001-$70,000 = 28    13.59% 
    $70,001-$80,000 = 21    10.19% 
    $80,001-$90,000 = 9    4.37% 
    $90,001-$100,000 = 5    2.43% 
    $100,001 or more = 3    1.46% 
    No Answer = 61    29.61% 

15) Hourly Rate (A$), excluding GST. For fixed-price contracts, please give the intended equivalent hourly rate.
    Not applicable = 48    23.30% 
    Less than $30 = 5    2.43% 
    $30-$39 = 10    4.85% 
    $40-$49 = 19    9.22% 
    $50-$59 = 34    16.50% 
    $60-$69 = 15    7.28% 
    $70-$79 = 6    2.91% 
    $80-$89 = 2    0.97% 
    $90-$99 = 1    0.49% 
    $100 or more = 4    1.94% 
    No Answer = 62    30.10% 

16) Over the past year, have any of the following happened to you? (Select all that apply.)
    Made redundant/sacked from permanent job = 14    6.80% 
    Contract terminated or not renewed = 24    11.65% 
    Increased workload due to staff cuts = 46    22.33% 
    Canceled projects = 46    22.33% 
    Training and/or travel budget cuts = 35    16.99% 
    No (or less than normal) salary increase = 74    35.92% 
    Hourly rate decreased = 37    17.96% 
    No Answer = 64    31.07% 

17) Professional memberships (please select all that apply)
    Current member of ASTC = 93    45.15% 
    Former member of ASTC = 27    13.11% 
    Current member of STC = 35    16.99% 
    Former member of STC = 7    3.40% 
    Current member of another professional organisation = 47    22.82% 
    No Answer = 56    27.18% 

18) Professional memberships, other.

19) Work location - I work primarily
    Onsite = 137    65.50% 
    At home/own office (includes telecommuting) = 22    10.68% 
    Both/varies = 45    21.84% 
    No Answer = 2    0.97% 

20) I work in this part of the country
    Sydney area = 50    24.27% 
    Other NSW = 2    0.97% 
    ACT = 22    10.68% 
    Melbourne area = 87    42.23% 
    Other Victoria = 1    0.49% 
    Adelaide area = 5    2.43% 
    Other SA = 0    0.00% 
    Perth area = 26    12.62% 
    Other WA = 0    0.00% 
    Tasmania = 2    0.97% 
    Northern Territory = 2    0.97% 
    Brisbane, other SE Qld = 17    8.25% 
    Other Qld = 2    0.97% 
    Outside Australia = 6    2.91% 
    No Answer = 0    0.00% 

21) Additional information you wish to provide or any comments about the survey.

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Results

Salary by Location

  under $30K $30K-$40K $40K-$50K $50K-$60K $60K-$70K $70K-$80K $80K-$90K $90K-$100K $100K + Total 
Sydney area 25 
ACT 14 
Melbourne area 15  13  56 
Adelaide area
Perth area 12 
Brisbane/ SE Qld 13 
Total 11  37  28  22  123 

Note: Some data has been omitted, to protect privacy when only one person in a location responded.

Hourly Rate by Location

  Less than $30 $30-$39 $40-$49 $50-$59 $60-$69 $70-$79 $80-$89 $90-$99 $100 or more Total 
Sydney area 15  28 
ACT
Melbourne area 10  11  39 
Adelaide area
Perth area 15 
Tasmania
Northern Territory
Brisbane/ SE Qld
Outside Australia
Total  11  23  38  15  107 

Note: Some data has been omitted, to protect privacy when only one person in a location responded.

Salary by Age

  <$30K $30K-$40K $40K-$50K $50K-$60K $60K-$70K $70K-$80K $80K-$90K $90K-$100K $100K + Total 
29 years or under 18 
30 to 39 years 18  45 
40 to 49 years 10  13  35 
50 years or over 24 
Total  12  38  28  21  122 

Hourly Rate by Age

  <$30 $30-$39 $40-$49 $50-$59 $60-$69 $70-$79 $80-$89 $90-$99 $100 or more Total 
29 years or under
30 to 39 years 24 
40 to 49 years 11  36 
50 years or over 10  13  31 
Total  10  19  34  15  96 

Salary by Sex

  under $30K $30K-$40K $40K-$50K $50K-$60K $60K-$70K $70K-$80K $80K-$90K $90K-$100K $100K + Total 
Female  24  16  64 
Male  14  12  13  59 
Total  12  38  28  21  123 

Hourly Rate by Sex

  <$30 $30-$39 $40-$49 $50-$59 $60-$69 $70-$79 $80-$89 $90-$99 $100 or more Total 
Female  15  12  49 
Male  10  19  47 
Total  10  19  34  15  96 

Salary by Experience

  <$30K $30K-$40K $40K-$50K $50K-$60K $60K-$70K $70K-$80K $80K-$90K $90K-$100K $100K + Total 
< 2 years 
2-5 years  19  42 
6-10 years  29 
11 years or more  11  12  44 
Total  12  38  28  21  124 

Hourly Rate by Experience

  <$30 $30-$39 $40-$49 $50-$59 $60-$69 $70-$79 $80-$89 $90-$99 $100 or more Total 
< 2 years 
2-5 years  12 
6-10 years  10  13  39 
11 years or more  16  38 
Total  10  19  34  15  96 

Responses to Question 18, Professional memberships - Other

Society of Editors (6 people)
Australian Science Communicators (10 people)
Women in Publishing
Geological Soc Aust
Institution of Engineers Australia (2 people)
Wireless Institute of Australia
Aust Institute Company Directors
SAGE-AU
ACS (Austrlalian Computer Society) (5 people)
Alliance (union) (2 people)
Australian Writers Guild
MEAA (2 people)
ACM
AITD (Australian Institute of Training and Development) (3 people)
Fellowship of Australian Writers
Australian Medical Writers Association
Tech Socs: AusBiotech, ASBMB, GSA, RACI-CCD
Maintenance Engineering Society of Australia
The Institute for Drafting and Design, Australia
Australian Institute of Project Managers
PRIA
IAP2 (International Association Public Participation)
State/territory writers' centre (2 people)
Aust. Journalists Association
Aust. Society of Authors (2 people)
Australian Institute of Management (2 people)
ISTC
NZTWA
Technical Writers group of The Netherlands
Australian Society of Indexers
Australian Institute of Biology
A&NZ Solar Energy Society
Media Alliance Teachers' Federation
ITPA
Entrepreneurial networking
Technical support, Training
Electronics engineering
Science Communication
Policy
Some marketing duties (research, sales)
Process analysis
Procedure analysis
Creative writing
Communications
Science journals
Advertising copywriting
Graphic design
Online Help development
Computer system testing and managing
Administrator for internal document review system
Design of Lotus Notes management system for documentation
Manage client user forum
Marketing support
Edit text books
GUI design input
Software testing
Business analysis (5 people)
Facilitation
Content management
Marketing communications (3 people)
DTP
Application of research in industry
Tertiary education: lecturing in writing
Academic writing
Managing software development team
Plain english translation of technical info
Public information and consultation re infrastructure projects
Interface Design (2 people)
Training Design
Tender Development
Mentoring and tools support for tech comms team
Usability consulting
End user support
SAP
Chain and Plate Armour
Programming
Writing, Editing, Consultancy
Document Design
eLearning writing and editing
Business process analysis
Technical reports
Marketing support
Mentoring other non-writers and writers
Help and VBA Development
Proposal writing
Instructional design (developing training materials)
Systems administration
Test Management
Executive Assistant
Online help
Process and systems analysis

Responses to Question 9, Tertiary qualification, other fields

Science
Education (Teacher-Librarianship); Communications
BA(Hons) Music, Grad Dip Ed
Computer education
Linguistics/literary criticism
Science teaching; BSc geology
BA (hons) and Information Management
Geology
Science and arts degress
Business admin, organisational behaviour, radio operation
Teaching BA Dip Ed
Mathematics, management
Dip Ed
Business, journalism
Environmental Science
Studying tech communication
Business (management, marketing) - Psychology - Teaching
Literature, Italian, French
Business - Management
Degree in Teaching - Mathematics
Chemistry
Psychology
Theology
Management & information technology
Business degree with IT major
Cognitive Science
Education
1st qual. in paramedical field - B. App. Phys. (Radiotherapy)
Librarianship, and marketing
Assoc Dip Info Processing, Marketing Grad Certificate, MBA in progress
Professional Writing and Editing
Bachelor of Behavioural Science
Medical Science
Army Diploma in Management Systems Analysis
BSc, majoring in Geography
Biochemistry
Marketing
Teaching
Dental Therapy
Bachelor Of Planning & Design
Cert IV in Workplace Training & Assessment Cat 2
Business Administration
Contemporary Music
Management, law
B Sc, Masters of Urban and Regional Planning
Human Geography and Computing Science
BA=Linguistics & Business German
GCert =Writing, Editing, Publishing
Bachelor of Economics
B.A.(History and English); Dip. Ed.
Bachelor of Laws
Primary teaching
Human Resources
Arts - first degree, Business Management - grad dip
Science - Physiology and Pharmacology
Education
Librarianship
Psychology
Web site production
Languages, Linguistics, Literature
Arts degree Asian studies and certificate in IT from TAFE
BA (media studies)
BA Communications (journalism major)
Science & Education
Linguistics
Arts - Sociology
Double major in history
Management
B.Sc. in Geography; Grad Dip in Computer-Based Learning
MBA
Evolutionary biology
B.A. (field not stated)
Management Info Systems, Instructional Design, Biotechnology
Adult education
Journalism and arts
Graphic Design
Professional writing and editing
Library Studies
Modern and classical languages
B.A. Communication Studies

Responses to Question 21, Additional information or comments about survey

  • 6 years ago, contract rate of $100 per hour plus car and accomodation 3 years ago $40 per hour. In last 28 months, two jobs - one of 6 days, the other of 4 days.
  • Have been asked to drop my rates over the last three years but have found that I haven't needed to. Usually reply to the query 'are your rates negotiable' that 'I can always take more'.
  • It would be good to get an idea about the number of tech writers who are doing work considered to be the perogative of other job titles such as business analyst, change manager, etc.
  • My hourly rate varies according to the customer and what I think they can pay (or what they are offering). For example, although I most usually ask for $65 / hour, in the last 2 years I have received a high of $85 per hour and a low of $10 per hour (on a fixed price contract - their fixed price, not my quote!) I took it because it was interesting, something I hadn't done before and there was no other work on the horizon at the time.
  • IT software technical writing
  • My salary dropped by 15% between being retrenched for the first time (2002) and finding another permanent role. My contract rates have not increased since 1998, when I was contracting in Sydney.
  • Despite the reasonable number of contracts in the ACT in the last few months, there is pressure from government departments to lower rates. It is unfair that public servant salaries are not expected to go down, but contractors' rates are. Perhaps they do not see our hourly rates as the money that pays our rent or mortgage, and puts food on the table.
  • It would helpful to offer a DEFINITION of technical writing and editing. In my case its often taking scientific information and making it digestable - plainer. I do not work in computing areas at all.
  • I am a scientist (I currently work fulltime as a scientist) and have freelanced as a scientific journals editor for approx. 3 years, using my computer at home and having document emailed to me. My main work has come from journals in Germany.
  • I ran a successful documentation consulting firm (from 1995), employing contractors and full-timers, but over the past 8 months I have moved into a salaried position due to market forces.
  • Would have been good to request information about the most recently earned / achieved salary or rate, if currently unemployed and on the salary or rate being requested or considered.
  • My experience is that market conditions have been very tough over the past 18 months, although "appear" to be improving very slightly. I've reluctantly chosen to remain in a longer term contract with the same agency/end client for past 3 years, on a quarterly or six monthly renewable basis (utterly boring, unfulfilling and undervalued role but relatively secure, better the devil you know etc). However due to business downturn it seems unlikely to continue, so expect to be on the market again before too long.
  • It would be interesting to correlate this salary information with skills and industry.
  • I live in Sydney, work is in Brisbane (that is, I telecommute).
  • I also provide support and assistance to oher areas of the company I work for, e.g. marcom, training, and to individual staff members in preparation of their technical papers, theses, etc. Some of this is out of hours. And there's the ill-defined but important stuff like building relationships between groups ensuring that we all share information and are aware of each other's requirements.
  • I have two part time contracts of 2 and 2.5 days per week. I have had the first contract for about 16 months without a pay rise. My contract has actually expired 12 months ago but I'm still working.
  • Regarding the previous question - I also telecommute with US companies.
  • My background is in book editing. It is only in the last year that I have sort of defined myself as a 'technical communicator or writer' but all my career experience points to it being a 'legitimate' description!
  • My experience in technical writing is 'officially' 3 years, however I have 15 years of IT experience, quite a bit of experience in graphic design/layout and digital imaging.
  • Depending on the nature of the contract I may work from home. This is dependent on the industry and commercial nature of the work. I have found that rates have dramatically dropped in the last 8 months. I have in the past earned $20/hr more than my current contract. That was when I was direct. Due to the economic downturn I have been forced to return to agency work. Agency work has meant that my rates have had to go down as the agency gets their cut.
  • I was made redundant in Feb 2002 (just outside your limit) & started in this position in April 2002. I was employed at the salary I've been on since March 2001, but now have superannuation taken out of my pre-tax salary.
  • The company where I currently contract requested my agency to reduce their rates. The agency reduced their rate to the company but have continued to pay my the same rate, bless them!
  • I am waiting ou the the slump in IT by doing a TAFE course, but have answered the salary questions according to my last contract.
  • My hours are all over the place at the moment due to two companies, one paying well the other a start up. The paying one is subsidising the start up.
  • More tasks related such as product development would have been good.
  • I'm not specifically a technical writer: writing backround beyond biology included computer literacy education (2 yrs), standard tech writing (business software and banking IS), from 1990-2000 have primarily been responsible for planning, implementing and maintaining technical authoring systems (which involves writing many internal reports & presentations). Since 2000 have been moving progressively into more general areas of corporate knowledge management.
  • One question I would like to have seen there relates to hourly rate 12 months ago, 24 months ago and 36 months ago. Mine has dropped dramatically and I would like to guage which are personal factors and which are industry. Another possible question relates to periods of unemployment or underemployment - for me gaps between projects have been getting longer - to the point of being unsustainable, and I think that may be the case for others also.
  • No area to record in-progress tertiary qualifications.
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