Creative & Education Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Technical Writer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median technical writer salary in Des Moines, IA is $73,563 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$73,563
vs State Avg
+$2,399
vs National
$-6,397
Cost of Living
92%

Technical Writer Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median technical writer salary of $73,563, which is $2,399 above the Iowa state average of $71,164. Compared to the national median of $79,960, Des Moines pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Des Moines's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for technical writers in Des Moines spans from $45,816 at the 10th percentile to $118,312 at the 90th percentile — a $72,496 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $47,840, while senior technical writers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $108,560. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Technical Writer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level technical writer earns around $47,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $108,560 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$47,840
$-4,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$73,600
$-6,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$108,560
$-9,440 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $45,816
25th Percentile $57,960
Median (50th) $73,563
75th Percentile $94,576
90th Percentile $118,312

Technical Writer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$75,962
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$70,365
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$68,766
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$67,166
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Technical Writer in Des Moines

Education

Most technical writer positions require a bachelor's degree. Des Moines and the surrounding Iowa 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 Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Technical Writer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open technical writer positions in Des Moines, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Technical Writer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Technical Writer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median technical writer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $73,563 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $79,960. Salaries range from $45,816 (10th percentile) to $118,312 (90th percentile).
How much does a Technical Writer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $73,563, a technical writer in Des Moines earns approximately $35 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for technical writer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median technical writer salary of $73,563 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $71,164. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA? ▼
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a technical writer salary of $73,563 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a technical writer in Des Moines? ▼
Most technical writer positions in Des Moines 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.