Tech Writing vs. Programming salaries

[Sherrill Fink <sfink -at- RELAY -dot- NSWC -dot- NAVY -dot- MIL>]

Tammy Sudol wrote:

I'm not sure who wrote this but I'm not in agreement with this
statement.

>Another thing I would also question, is why, when programmers get paid
>a considerably better wage than writers do, a programmer would
>*want* to do the tech writing.  It isn't like any of the source
>writing they are taught (whether it be self taught or schooled).

I'm giving the writer the benefit of the doubt (that s/he's not placing
programmers above writers on the hierarchy).  To address the issue of
wage, I'm aware of several techwriters on this list who are making
very good bucks.  I'm also aware of programmers who are making far
less.

-----------------
I work for the government (see title below) and my husband is a computer
scientist (programmer).  Our two job titles run on exactly the same
career track for pay and promotions.  However, we have a new experimental
human resources system that will be implemented in the next year or so
that will divide us.  His job title will be considered "technical" and
mine will be considered "support."  His job title will expand to give him
an opportunity to advance to a higher level than I can.

Just my two cents :)

--

Sherrill Fink                        * Bit by bit, my days dribble away,
sfink -at- relay -dot- nswc -dot- navy -dot- mil            * trickling out my modem.
Technical Writer/Editor              *                  --Cliff Stoll
NSWCDD Safety & Environmental Office *