How much does a technical writer make?
The median technical writer in the United States earns $90,390 per year, about $43.46 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all technical writers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-3042.
Technical writer salary range
Pay for technical writers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $57,440 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $145,270. The average (mean) wage of $96,970 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $57,440 | $27.62 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $70,880 | $34.08 | |
| Median (50th) | $90,390 | $43.46 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $115,510 | $55.53 | |
| 90th percentile | $145,270 | $69.84 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for technical writers (SOC 27-3042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Technical writer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Technical writers earn the most in New Jersey at $122,320 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $61,180. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $122,320 | 1,550 |
| District of Columbia | $117,810 | 440 |
| Massachusetts | $109,200 | 1,850 |
| Washington | $104,070 | 1,620 |
| California | $104,000 | 5,280 |
| Rhode Island | $102,360 | 150 |
| Connecticut | $101,870 | 770 |
| Maryland | $100,990 | 1,780 |
| Colorado | $100,610 | 1,320 |
| New York | $98,310 | 1,610 |
| New Hampshire | $96,300 | 230 |
| New Mexico | $94,970 | 420 |
| Virginia | $93,600 | 2,280 |
| Delaware | $90,370 | 80 |
| Nevada | $88,750 | 230 |
| Illinois | $88,700 | 1,040 |
| Vermont | $87,860 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,620 | 1,330 |
| North Carolina | $86,320 | 2,860 |
| Florida | $86,240 | 2,550 |
| Alabama | $85,840 | 630 |
| Michigan | $85,270 | 970 |
| Oregon | $84,000 | 590 |
| Minnesota | $83,270 | 910 |
| Alaska | $83,200 | 130 |
| Texas | $82,750 | 3,340 |
| South Carolina | $82,540 | 700 |
| Kentucky | $81,070 | 340 |
| Missouri | $80,840 | 500 |
| Utah | $80,270 | 570 |
| Wisconsin | $80,030 | 910 |
| Arizona | $79,780 | 730 |
| Tennessee | $79,550 | 480 |
| Ohio | $76,480 | 1,350 |
| Indiana | $75,510 | 540 |
| Montana | $75,070 | 160 |
| Kansas | $73,550 | 480 |
| Georgia | $73,070 | 1,680 |
| North Dakota | $72,990 | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $69,760 | 600 |
| Iowa | $66,520 | 640 |
| Mississippi | $65,220 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $63,790 | 320 |
| South Dakota | $63,350 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $61,180 | 150 |
State median wages for technical writers (SOC 27-3042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for technical writers
The BLS projects employment of technical writers to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 46,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 46,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,200 openings a year for technical writers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a technical writer
The typical entry-level education for technical writers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a technical writer earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $122,320) and the lowest (Arkansas, $61,180) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 45,500 people work as technical writers in the United States. At $90,390 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Technical writer salary FAQ
How much does a technical writer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a technical writer is $43.46. The middle half of technical writers earn between $34.08 and $55.53 per hour.
What is the highest technical writer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of technical writers earn more than $145,270 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a technical writer make a year?
The median annual salary for a technical writer is $90,390. The average (mean) wage of $96,970 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a technical writer a well paid job?
At $90,390 a year, a technical writer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 45,500 people work as technical writers in the United States.
Which state pays technical writers the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for technical writers at $122,320 a year. District of Columbia ($117,810) and Massachusetts ($109,200) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a technical writer a good career?
Employment of technical writers is projected to hold roughly steady 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a technical writer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for technical writers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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