Content Strategist Career Guide

What Does a Content Strategist Do?

Content strategists (also called technical writers, content designers, or UX writers) create, plan, and manage content that helps users understand products, services, and processes. They develop content strategies across digital and print platforms, ensuring information is clear, accessible, and aligned with business goals.

On a typical day, content strategists might research user needs, plan content roadmaps, write and edit documentation, collaborate with product teams and designers, create content guidelines, manage content across platforms, and gather user feedback to improve content effectiveness. They work primarily in office or remote settings.

Key responsibilities include:

• Determining content needs based on user research and business goals
• Developing content strategies and governance frameworks
• Writing and editing content (documentation, UX copy, guides, articles)
• Collaborating with product teams, designers, and developers
• Creating and maintaining content style guides and standards
• Managing content across multiple platforms and channels
• Incorporating multimedia elements (graphics, video, animations)
• Collecting and analyzing user feedback to iterate on content

Education & Requirements

• Typical Education: Bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism, marketing, or related field. Technical background helpful for specialized content (engineering, science, tech products).
• Certifications: Optional certifications in content strategy, UX writing, or technical communication demonstrate expertise. Not mandatory but advantageous for career growth.
• Key Skills: Excellent writing and editing, critical thinking, user empathy, information architecture, SEO knowledge, content management systems (CMS), collaboration, adaptability.
• Experience: Entry-level roles may require less than 5 years experience. Many start as content writers, technical writers, or specialists in a related field before moving into strategy roles.

Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data for Technical Writers):

• Median Annual Salary: $91,670 ($44.07/hour)
• Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,400
• Experienced (90th percentile): $130,430
• Top-Paying Industries: Administrative support services ($90,400), Professional/scientific/technical services ($86,170)
• Other Sectors: Government ($84,950), Information/media ($83,380), Manufacturing ($80,070)

Job Outlook & Growth

Employment is projected to grow 1% from 2024 to 2034, slower than the average for all occupations. This growth translates to approximately 500 new jobs over the decade, with about 4,500 total openings annually when including replacement needs.

Growth drivers include:

• Product innovation: Continued demand to explain complex technical products and services
• Digital transformation: Need for content across websites, apps, and social media platforms
• User experience focus: Companies prioritizing clear, user-friendly content

Limiting factors: AI tools and content automation are increasing writer productivity, potentially slowing job growth despite rising content needs. Writers who adapt to use AI tools may have better prospects.

How to Break Into This Field

1. Education: Earn a bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism, marketing, or UX design. Consider double majoring or minoring in a technical field if interested in specialized content. Build a portfolio of writing samples during college.
2. Entry-Level Roles: Start as content writer, copywriter, technical writer, junior UX writer, or marketing coordinator. Gain 2-3 years of experience before targeting strategist positions.
3. Build Skills: Master writing and editing, learn SEO and analytics (Google Analytics), get comfortable with CMS platforms (WordPress, Contentful), develop UX research skills. Create portfolio showcasing diverse content types.
4. Network: Join Content Marketing Institute, attend content strategy conferences (Confab, Button), participate in writing groups, connect with content professionals on LinkedIn and Twitter.
5. Apply Strategically: Target tech companies, SaaS businesses, agencies, media companies, and enterprises with strong digital presence. Use LinkedIn, Indeed, We Work Remotely, and AngelList. Highlight versatility across content types.

Career Path & Advancement

Typical progression: Content writer/Technical writer → Senior writer → Content strategist → Senior strategist → Lead content strategist → Director of content or VP of content.

Experienced content strategists can advance to lead content teams, become directors overseeing content operations, or specialize in high-demand areas like UX writing, technical documentation, or content marketing. Some freelance as independent consultants or start content agencies.

Pros & Cons

Related Careers

If you're interested in Content Strategist, you might also consider:

• UX Writer – Specialize in product interface copy and microcopy
• Content Marketing Manager – Focus on content that drives business results
• Editor – Review and revise content for publication ($75,260 median)
• Public Relations Specialist – Create content for public image management ($69,780 median)
• Social Media Manager – Develop and manage social content strategies