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Side work for Technical Writers · Updated November 3, 2026

Side work for Technical Writers

Technical Writer is one of the titles we hear most. These are the part-time roles where your experience carries over, what they pay per hour, and the tasks open now. About five hours a week, next to your main job.

3roles that fit a technical writer
756open tasks in those roles
$55/hrtypical US rate, Reference-Answer Writer
5 ha week is enough

By Olivia Hartley, Director, AI Expert Review · Edited by Helena Voss · Published

Side work as a technical writer: what to know

Technical writers are hired for documentation that never gets written in a sprint: API references, user guides, admin manuals, release notes and internal runbooks. The work is well suited to evenings because it needs focus more than meetings.

Show samples, with confidential details removed, and name the tools you work in, such as a docs-as-code setup or a help centre platform. Ask for access to a test environment early; good documentation is written from using the product, not from reading tickets. Technical writers also take AI expert review tasks, rating model answers on documentation and clarity.

In our data: 756 open tasks across the 3 roles that fit a technical writer, 92% of them remote. The typical senior rate for Reference-Answer Writer is $55 in the US, £25 in the UK, CA$45 in Canada and €32 in Germany an hour, before the company's 15% fee. The other roles that fit are Process Documentation Specialist, AI Evaluator: Operations & Project Management. Most of these tasks are sized for 5 to 15 hours a week. Rates come from official wage statistics aged to October 2026; see the full table by country.

Where a technical writer's experience fits

The best match is first. Each role page shows the rate by country and level.

Open now for a technical writer

Tasks in the roles above, newest first, each with the hourly rate.

AI review

Multi-Step Reasoning Solution

Senior · Reference-Answer Writer

Recruiting platform for small businesses · 201–500 employees

$53–$66 / hour

About $1,800 a month at 7 h a week

  • 4–10 h a week
  • Remote · United States
  • Starts within 7 days
  • Top 25% for the role
AI review

Style Guide Compliance Review · E-commerce

Senior · Reference-Answer Writer

E-commerce platform for outdoor gear · 1,001–5,000 employees

€29–€36 / hour

About €630 a month at 5 h a week

  • 3–6 h a week
  • Remote · Netherlands
  • Starts within 7 days
  • Top 25% for the role
AI review

Reference Plan Authoring

Senior · AI Evaluator: Operations & Project Management

Digital health company for dental practices · 1,001–5,000 employees

€45–€54 / hour

About €1,500 a month at 7 h a week

  • 4–10 h a week
  • Remote · Denmark
  • Starts within 2 weeks
  • Top 25% for the role
Bundle

Knowledge Base Build (Notion)

Senior · Process Documentation Specialist

Beverage company in craft beverages · 501–1,000 employees

$67–$80 / hour

About $880–$2,200 a month

  • 12–30 h a month
  • Hybrid · San Diego
  • Starts next week
  • Top 25% for the role
AI review

Risk Register Review (Excel)

Senior · AI Evaluator: Operations & Project Management

Series B B2B software company for HR teams · 51–200 employees

$74–$87 / hour

About $1,920 a month at 6 h a week

  • 3–8 h a week
  • Remote · United States
  • Starts within 7 days
  • Top 25% for the role

Before you take side work

Three checks that take ten minutes.

  • Read the outside-work, conflict-of-interest and confidentiality clauses in your employment contract. If it asks for consent, ask in writing.
  • Do not take tasks from a direct competitor of your employer.
  • Use your own equipment and your own time. Read the guide

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