Technical Communication A.A.S. - Career Degree

Write clearly, accurately and effectively

Enhance your workplace communication skills

Turn your love of writing into a high-paying, in-demand professional career with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in technical communication from the College of Lake County. This 2-year degree takes your writing to the next level, equipping you with solid skills in content creation, organization, editing and design for digital and print platforms.

As a technical communicator, you can choose a career path that interests you. Technical communicators work in a variety of workplace settings, including business, healthcare, information technology, environmental science, the creative arts and more!

What can you do with an A.A.S. in Technical Communication?

The certificate in technical communication prepares you to start work or continue your education in communication, media, business, marketing, healthcare or related fields. Work as an information architect, proposal writer, website writer and more! U.S. News & World Report recently ranked technical writer as one of the Best Creative & Media jobs.

Highlights

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
Career Degree

Earn an associate degree in 2 years and gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills.
Program Length: 2 Years

Full-time students finish in 2 years.

Career Outlook

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $44,643
  
  Median
  
  $80,088
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $139,804
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $21.45
  
  Median
  
  $38.50
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $67.21
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Master's Degree
  
  71.82%
  
  Doctorate
  
  28.17%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $40,171
  
  Median
  
  $71,276
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $127,489
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $19.31
  
  Median
  
  $34.26
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $61.29
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  81.7%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  18.3%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $55,699
  
  Median
  
  $98,687
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $166,691
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $26.77
  
  Median
  
  $47.44
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $80.13
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Certificate
  
  6.9%
  
  Some college
  
  15.89%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  35.25%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  35.52%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  5.46%
  
  Doctorate
  
  0.99%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.

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*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Technical Communication at CLC

Get the bigger picture

This degree is just one possible way to study communication. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Technical Communications A.A.S. Program Overview

Frequently asked questions

As a technical communication major, you will learn by actively engaging in “real-world” projects used in the workplace today, so when you graduate, you can hit the ground running. Whether you are developing materials to launch a new business, creating clear documentation for a complex process or designing audience-centered materials for the web, you will gain the skills needed to be successful in nearly every industry. (And not to mention—technical writers enjoy a strong job market and high pay!)
You're ready to work! You have the essential skills needed to succeed as a technical communicator. You can also use this degree to transfer to a 4-year school and earn your bachelor's degree.
At the College of Lake County, you benefit from:
- Personal interaction with classmates and instructors
- Small class sizes (12:1 student-faculty ratio in the Technical Communication program)
- Instructors with decades of industry experience
- Low-cost tuition
- Access to more than 30,000 businesses in Lake County, including 12 Fortune 500 companies, for internship and job opportunities
Yes—well, most of them. Every course in this program is offered in an online format, except for our field courses which must be taken in person.
Attend class in the way that works best for your goals:
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real-time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
- Online: Have the flexibility to complete coursework without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
- In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.

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Technical Communications

Write clearly, accurately and effectively

Enhance your workplace communication skills

What can you do with an A.A.S. in Technical Communication?

Highlights

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Career Degree

Program Length: 2 Years

Career Outlook

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Editors

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Technical Writers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

Technical Communication at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

What will I learn?

What can I do with this degree?

Why should I get my degree at CLC?

Can I take my classes online?

Take the next step...

Be debt-free at CLC

Request info

Visit us

Get started