Technical Writer Salary in Brookings, SD: $68,766 (2026)

Technical Writer Pay in Brookings: What to Expect (2026)

Brookings offers a median technical writer salary of $68,766, which is $1,599 below the South Dakota state average of $70,365. Compared to the national median of $79,960, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Brookings's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $68,766 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $79,960 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for technical writers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for technical writers in Brookings spans from $42,828 at the 10th percentile to $110,596 at the 90th percentile — a $67,768 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,720, while senior technical writers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $101,480. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Technical Writer Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level technical writer earns around $44,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $101,480 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$44,720

$-7,280 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$68,800

$-11,200 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$101,480

$-16,520 vs national

Percentile	Brookings	SD State	National
10th Percentile	$42,828	$43,824	$49,800
25th Percentile	$54,180	$55,440	$63,000
Median (50th)	$68,766	$70,365	$79,960
75th Percentile	$88,408	$90,464	$102,800
90th Percentile	$110,596	$113,168	$128,600

Percentile

Brookings

10th Percentile

$42,828

25th Percentile

$54,180

Median (50th)

$68,766

75th Percentile

$88,408

90th Percentile

$110,596

How to Become a Technical Writer in Brookings

Education

Most technical writer positions require a bachelor's degree. Brookings and the surrounding South Dakota 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 Brookings may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Technical Writer Salary in Brookings

How much does a Technical Writer make in Brookings, SD? ▼

The median technical writer salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $68,766 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $79,960. Salaries range from $42,828 (10th percentile) to $110,596 (90th percentile).

How much does a Technical Writer make per hour in Brookings? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $68,766, a technical writer in Brookings earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for technical writer pay? ▼

Brookings's median technical writer salary of $68,766 is 2.3% below the South Dakota state average of $70,365. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼

Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a technical writer salary of $68,766 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a technical writer in Brookings? ▼

Most technical writer positions in Brookings 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.

Technical Writer Salary in Brookings, South Dakota