Home » May 1, 2006 Results

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Salary Survey

A comprehensive survey of technical writers taken was taken during 2006. By May 1, with nearly 100 participants the results showed technical writers earning salaries in the NIS 15,000 – 18,000 range throughout most of Israel. During the year, as participation increased, employee and freelance data were separated into two different surveys with updates showing a pattern of change throughout the year. The updates went into more detail as the size of the database grew. The latest salary update includes percentile breakdowns by region, sex, company size and experience.

In November, the Salary Survey database included over 130 employees and the Rate Survey included 50 freelance writers, most of whom updated their data after Oct. 1, 2006. During Q4, 2006 the data base has grown and the vast majority of those who reported earlier in the year updated their data in preparation of the 2007 quarterly reports which will only be free to those who regularly update their data starting Q4, 2006. Others will have to pay for access to the reports, but there will be discounts for those who start reporting in Q1, 2007 and for members of the Yokneam Forum.

The detailed report was released on Feb. 15, 2007 as part of the Q1 quarterly report. To gain free access you must update your data during the first 2 weeks of each quarter! The report will include information on salary changes that occurred during 2006 (based on data from those who reported more than once during the year).

Dec. 13 Inhouse Salary Update

Breakdown by experience was added.

Nov. 18 Contractor Rate Update

Over the past month there have been changes to contractor rates compared to the Oct. 11 Contractor Rate Results.

Nov. 17 Inhouse Salary Update with Company Size Breakdown

Regional breakdowns were update In addition to the promised breakdown by company size. In just under 30 days the competition for writers has accelerated the rise in salaries in the center of the country.

Oct. 19 Inhouse Salary Update

The market is changing and female tech writers have narrowed the gap between their salaries and those of their male counterparts. Differences among the area codes have increased during the year, with the greatest increases taking place in the 08 and 09 codes. Details...

Oct. 11 Contractor Rate Results

July 9 Salary Update

July 9 Additional Question - Is there a correlation between membership in a professional organization like the STC or IEEE and salary?

June 21 Update

May 1 Results

Salaries for In-House English-Speaking Technical Writers (as of May 1)*

*Figures include the value of a car, but not pension, educational fund or bonuses.

Although it is difficult to convert contractor rates into equivalent monthly salaries, a formula that assumes a 30% reduction in income for employee benefits not received leaves the fulltime contractor with an income equivalent to a salary NIS 19,600 median or NIS 20,600 average, well above the salaries earned by most in house technical writers.

Regional Differences

Area codes were used to identify regional differences in salaries and contractor rates. The highest paid area is 09, with 03 and 04 not far behind. The real story of regional differences is hidden in the details with a distinct pocket of lower paid technical writers in the Jerusalem area that consists mostly of female technical writers without cars.

The 04 area code is unusual in that it has an exceptionally high percentage of independent contractors, nearly 50% as opposed to 30% in the 09 area code. It is unclear whether this is due to less flexible pay scales in the 04 area code that encourage the more experienced technical writers to work as contractors or the success of the Forum in helping many subcontractors move up to direct contracting.

Participation in the Survey

The survey is ongoing and results are occaisionally updated. In-house technical writers can participate by filling in the Salary Survey form and contractors/subcontractors can participate by filling in the Rate Survey form. Currently there is no separate survey of changes (raises and salary cuts), but technical writers are encouraged to fill in a new form when they receive raises (or pay cuts) or change jobs and the changes are monitored separately to provide the basis for a survey of changes.

Standard Employee Benefits

You can find official information in Hebrew on the employee benefits and legal rights that are required by law in Israel at the of employees to the benefits guaranteed by law at the Ministry of Industry and Business site (www.tamas.gov.il).