Technical Writer
A Technical Writer earns a median salary of $79,960 per year in the United States, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Technical writers prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information among customers, designers, and manufacturers.
$79,960
Median Salary
$85,557
Mean Salary
55,400
Total Employment
6%
Job Growth
Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
Education
4,986
Openings/Year
Figures on this page are modeled estimates built from public BLS and NCES occupational and institutional categories, not official government reporting. Use them as directional guidance, not exact figures.
Salary Distribution
10th Percentile $47,976
25th Percentile $62,369
Median $79,960
75th Percentile $102,349
90th Percentile $134,333
Salary Map
Lower Mid Higher
Top Employing States
Texas 5,197
California 4,942
New York 2,656
Illinois 2,655
Florida 2,320
Salary by State
| # | State | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $165,373 |
| 2 | New York | $131,905 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $129,970 |
| 4 | California | $122,640 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $120,920 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $120,270 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $104,162 |
| 8 | Alaska | $103,643 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $103,307 |
| 10 | Oregon | $100,371 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $98,278 |
| 12 | Virginia | $95,075 |
| 13 | Nevada | $94,148 |
| 14 | Arizona | $92,111 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $91,567 |
| 16 | Delaware | $90,219 |
| 17 | Illinois | $89,419 |
| 18 | Maryland | $86,539 |
| 19 | Washington | $85,997 |
| 20 | North Carolina | $85,003 |
| 21 | Utah | $83,897 |
| 22 | Indiana | $82,162 |
| 23 | Colorado | $81,702 |
| 24 | Maine | $81,421 |
| 25 | Vermont | $80,148 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $79,089 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $77,932 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $77,651 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $77,440 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $77,089 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $76,915 |
| 32 | Michigan | $75,506 |
| 33 | Idaho | $74,787 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $74,255 |
| 35 | Georgia | $74,059 |
| 36 | Montana | $73,413 |
| 37 | Alabama | $72,812 |
| 38 | Florida | $70,484 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $70,445 |
| 40 | Texas | $69,846 |
| 41 | Ohio | $69,774 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $69,374 |
| 43 | Missouri | $68,529 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $67,699 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $66,662 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $65,664 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $65,657 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $65,371 |
| 49 | Kansas | $63,590 |
| 50 | Iowa | $61,445 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $61,412 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a Technical Writer?
The median salary for a Technical Writer is $79,960 per year nationally. Salaries range from $47,976 (10th percentile) to $134,333 (90th percentile).
What education do you need to become a Technical Writer?
A Technical Writer typically requires a bachelor's degree.
What is the job outlook for Technical Writers?
Employment of technical writers is projected to grow 6%, described as faster than average. About 4,986 openings are expected each year.
Which state pays Technical Writers the most?
Hawaii pays the highest median salary for technical writers at $165,373 per year.