Technical Writer Salary
Technical writers create clear documentation, manuals, and guides that explain complex technical information in accessible language for various audiences.
Technical Writer Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level technical writers earn around $52,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $80,000. Senior-level technical writers can earn $118,000 or more.
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See Investment Options →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for technical writers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $49,800, while the top 10% earn $128,600.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $49,800 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $79,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,600 |
Technical Writer Salary by State
Technical Writer salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $135,932, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $66,367.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $135,932 | Details → |
| #2 California | $110,345 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $107,946 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $99,150 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $97,551 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $91,954 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $91,954 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $89,555 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $87,956 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $87,956 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $83,958 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $83,958 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $83,958 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $83,158 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $80,760 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $80,760 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $78,361 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $78,361 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $77,561 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $77,561 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $77,561 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $77,561 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $76,762 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $75,962 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $75,962 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $75,162 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $74,363 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $74,363 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $73,563 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $73,563 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $73,563 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $73,563 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $72,764 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $71,964 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $71,964 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $71,964 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $71,964 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $71,964 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $71,164 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $71,164 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $71,164 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $70,365 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $70,365 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $69,565 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $69,565 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $69,565 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $68,766 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $67,166 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $67,166 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $66,367 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Technical Writers who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $38,040 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Write user manuals, guides, and technical documentation
- ● Translate complex technical concepts into clear language
- ● Collaborate with engineers and subject matter experts
- ● Maintain and update existing documentation
- ● Create diagrams, screenshots, and visual aids
Top Skills
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook
Faster than average — projected 7% growth over the next decade
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