Technical Writer Salary in Knoxville, TN: $70,365 (2026)

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

Knoxville offers a median technical writer salary of $70,365, which is $799 below the Tennessee state average of $71,164. Compared to the national median of $79,960, Knoxville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Knoxville's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $70,365 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $79,960 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for technical writers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for technical writers in Knoxville spans from $43,824 at the 10th percentile to $113,168 at the 90th percentile — a $69,344 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $45,760, while senior technical writers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,840. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Technical Writer Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level technical writer earns around $45,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$45,760

$-6,240 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$70,400

$-9,600 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$103,840

$-14,160 vs national

Percentile	Knoxville	TN State	National
10th Percentile	$43,824	$44,322	$49,800
25th Percentile	$55,440	$56,070	$63,000
Median (50th)	$70,365	$71,164	$79,960
75th Percentile	$90,464	$91,492	$102,800
90th Percentile	$113,168	$114,454	$128,600

Percentile

Knoxville

10th Percentile

$43,824

25th Percentile

$55,440

Median (50th)

$70,365

75th Percentile

$90,464

90th Percentile

$113,168

How to Become a Technical Writer in Knoxville

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Technical Writer Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Technical Writer make in Knoxville, TN? ▼

The median technical writer salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $70,365 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $79,960. Salaries range from $43,824 (10th percentile) to $113,168 (90th percentile).

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

Based on the median annual salary of $70,365, a technical writer in Knoxville earns approximately $34 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for technical writer pay? ▼

Knoxville's median technical writer salary of $70,365 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $71,164. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Knoxville, TN? ▼

Knoxville has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a technical writer salary of $70,365 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

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

Most technical writer positions in Knoxville 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 Knoxville, Tennessee