Technical Writer Salary Overview
The Technical Writer is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $70,800. Compensation typically ranges from $41,800 for entry-level positions to $114,600 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Technical Writer in the US earns between $41,800 and $114,600 per year, with a median of $70,800.
Technical Writer Salary by Experience
Entry-level technical writers earn around $46,020, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $95,580 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $44,604 | $21/hr | $36,911 |
| Mid | $70,800 | $34/hr | $55,432 |
| Senior | $92,748 | $45/hr | $68,871 |
| Lead | $101,244 | $49/hr | $74,058 |
Technical Writer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Technical Writer in each US state.
Pay for technical writers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,375 | $5,416 | $54,819 | 22.6% |
| Alaska | $70,800 | $7,190 | $0 | $5,416 | $58,194 | 17.8% |
| Arizona | $70,800 | $7,190 | $1,405 | $5,416 | $56,789 | 19.8% |
| Arkansas | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,889 | $5,416 | $55,305 | 21.9% |
| California | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,762 | $5,416 | $55,432 | 21.7% |
| Colorado | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,455 | $5,416 | $55,739 | 21.3% |
| Connecticut | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,144 | $5,416 | $55,050 | 22.2% |
| Delaware | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,442 | $5,416 | $54,752 | 22.7% |
| District of Columbia | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,253 | $5,416 | $54,941 | 22.4% |
| Florida | $70,800 | $7,190 | $0 | $5,416 | $58,194 | 17.8% |
| Georgia | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,228 | $5,416 | $54,966 | 22.4% |
| Hawaii | $70,800 | $7,190 | $4,913 | $5,416 | $53,281 | 24.7% |
| Idaho | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,260 | $5,416 | $54,934 | 22.4% |
| Illinois | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,367 | $5,416 | $54,827 | 22.6% |
| Indiana | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,159 | $5,416 | $56,034 | 20.9% |
| Iowa | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,690 | $5,416 | $55,503 | 21.6% |
| Kansas | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,379 | $5,416 | $54,815 | 22.6% |
| Kentucky | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,706 | $5,416 | $55,488 | 21.6% |
| Louisiana | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,428 | $5,416 | $55,766 | 21.2% |
| Maine | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,546 | $5,416 | $54,648 | 22.8% |
| Maryland | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,189 | $5,416 | $55,004 | 22.3% |
| Massachusetts | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,320 | $5,416 | $54,874 | 22.5% |
| Michigan | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,771 | $5,416 | $55,423 | 21.7% |
| Minnesota | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,364 | $5,416 | $54,830 | 22.6% |
| Mississippi | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,750 | $5,416 | $55,444 | 21.7% |
| Missouri | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,527 | $5,416 | $55,666 | 21.4% |
| Montana | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,070 | $5,416 | $55,124 | 22.1% |
| Nebraska | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,614 | $5,416 | $55,580 | 21.5% |
| Nevada | $70,800 | $7,190 | $0 | $5,416 | $58,194 | 17.8% |
| New Hampshire | $70,800 | $7,190 | $0 | $5,416 | $58,194 | 17.8% |
| New Jersey | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,419 | $5,416 | $55,775 | 21.2% |
| New Mexico | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,474 | $5,416 | $55,720 | 21.3% |
| New York | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,460 | $5,416 | $54,734 | 22.7% |
| North Carolina | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,612 | $5,416 | $55,582 | 21.5% |
| North Dakota | $70,800 | $7,190 | $1,096 | $5,416 | $57,098 | 19.4% |
| Ohio | $70,800 | $7,190 | $1,228 | $5,416 | $56,965 | 19.5% |
| Oklahoma | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,873 | $5,416 | $55,321 | 21.9% |
| Oregon | $70,800 | $7,190 | $5,670 | $5,416 | $52,524 | 25.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,174 | $5,416 | $56,020 | 20.9% |
| Rhode Island | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,259 | $5,416 | $55,934 | 21.0% |
| South Carolina | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,904 | $5,416 | $55,290 | 21.9% |
| South Dakota | $70,800 | $7,190 | $0 | $5,416 | $58,194 | 17.8% |
| Tennessee | $70,800 | $7,190 | $0 | $5,416 | $58,194 | 17.8% |
| Texas | $70,800 | $7,190 | $0 | $5,416 | $58,194 | 17.8% |
| Utah | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,292 | $5,416 | $54,902 | 22.5% |
| Vermont | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,732 | $5,416 | $55,462 | 21.7% |
| Virginia | $70,800 | $7,190 | $3,555 | $5,416 | $54,639 | 22.8% |
| Washington | $70,800 | $7,190 | $0 | $5,416 | $58,194 | 17.8% |
| West Virginia | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,736 | $5,416 | $55,457 | 21.7% |
| Wisconsin | $70,800 | $7,190 | $2,665 | $5,416 | $55,529 | 21.6% |
| Wyoming | $70,800 | $7,190 | $0 | $5,416 | $58,194 | 17.8% |
Top Cities for Technical Writer Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for technical writers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $77,880 |
| Seattle, WA | $77,880 |
| New York, NY | $77,880 |
| Washington, DC | $77,880 |
| Boston, MA | $77,880 |
Calculate Technical Writer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Technical Writer
Becoming a technical writer typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Technical Writer Career Outlook
Employment of technical writers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Technical Writer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for technical writers in the US is $70,800, with a typical range from $41,800 to $114,600 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for technical writers include CA, WA, NY. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level technical writers can expect to earn around $46,020 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a technical writer can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for technical writers is approximately $34.04, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.