Creative & Education Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Technical Writer Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median technical writer salary in Chicago, IL is $85,557 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median and 12.6% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$85,557
vs State Avg
+$9,595
vs National
+$5,597
Cost of Living
107%

Technical Writer Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level technical writer earns around $55,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $126,260 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,640
+$3,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$85,600
+$5,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$126,260
+$8,260 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $53,286
25th Percentile $67,410
Median (50th) $85,557
75th Percentile $109,996
90th Percentile $137,602

Technical Writer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

How to Become a Technical Writer in Chicago

Education

Most technical writer positions require a bachelor's degree. Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Technical WritingDocumentation ToolsInformation ArchitectureEditingAPI DocumentationMarkdown

Job Outlook

Nationally, technical writer employment is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Chicago may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Technical Writer Jobs in Chicago

Browse open technical writer positions in Chicago, IL:

Frequently Asked Questions: Technical Writer Salary in Chicago

How much does a Technical Writer make in Chicago, IL?
The median technical writer salary in Chicago, Illinois is $85,557 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median of $79,960. Salaries range from $53,286 (10th percentile) to $137,602 (90th percentile).
How much does a Technical Writer make per hour in Chicago?
Based on the median annual salary of $85,557, a technical writer in Chicago earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chicago compare to the Illinois state average for technical writer pay?
Chicago's median technical writer salary of $85,557 is 12.6% above the Illinois state average of $75,962. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chicago, IL?
Chicago has a cost of living index of 107% compared to the national average. This means a technical writer salary of $85,557 in Chicago has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a technical writer in Chicago?
Most technical writer positions in Chicago require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Technical Writing, Documentation Tools, Information Architecture, Editing. The job market is projected to grow 7% nationally over the next decade.