Technical Writers Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $90,390 · Median hourly: $43.46 · Employment: 45,500
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,440 | $27.62 |
| 25th | $70,880 | $34.08 |
| Median | $90,390 | $43.46 |
| 75th | $115,510 | $55.53 |
| 90th | $145,270 | $69.84 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 27-3042
- Total U.S. employment: 45,500
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
How to interpret these figures
With approximately 45,500 technical writers employed, this is a significant occupation in the labor market.
Technical Writers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $85,840 | $41.27 | -5.0% | 630 |
| Alaska | $83,200 | $40.00 | -8.0% | 130 |
| Arizona | $79,780 | $38.36 | -11.7% | 730 |
| Arkansas | $61,180 | $29.41 | -32.3% | 150 |
| California | $104,000 | $50.00 | +15.1% | 5,280 |
| Colorado | $100,610 | $48.37 | +11.3% | 1,320 |
| Connecticut | $101,870 | $48.98 | +12.7% | 770 |
| Delaware | $90,370 | $43.45 | -0.0% | 80 |
| District of Columbia | $117,810 | $56.64 | +30.3% | 440 |
| Florida | $86,240 | $41.46 | -4.6% | 2,550 |
| Georgia | $73,070 | $35.13 | -19.2% | 1,680 |
| Hawaii | — | — | — | 30 |
| Idaho | — | — | — | 430 |
| Illinois | $88,700 | $42.65 | -1.9% | 1,040 |
| Indiana | $75,510 | $36.30 | -16.5% | 540 |
| Iowa | $66,520 | $31.98 | -26.4% | 640 |
| Kansas | $73,550 | $35.36 | -18.6% | 480 |
| Kentucky | $81,070 | $38.97 | -10.3% | 340 |
| Louisiana | $63,790 | $30.67 | -29.4% | 320 |
| Maine | — | — | — | 310 |
| Maryland | $100,990 | $48.55 | +11.7% | 1,780 |
| Massachusetts | $109,200 | $52.50 | +20.8% | 1,850 |
| Michigan | $85,270 | $40.99 | -5.7% | 970 |
| Minnesota | $83,270 | $40.03 | -7.9% | 910 |
| Mississippi | $65,220 | $31.36 | -27.8% | 70 |
| Missouri | $80,840 | $38.86 | -10.6% | 500 |
| Montana | $75,070 | $36.09 | -16.9% | 160 |
| Nebraska | — | — | — | 190 |
| Nevada | $88,750 | $42.67 | -1.8% | 230 |
| New Hampshire | $96,300 | $46.30 | +6.5% | 230 |
| New Jersey | $122,320 | $58.81 | +35.3% | 1,550 |
| New Mexico | $94,970 | $45.66 | +5.1% | 420 |
| New York | $98,310 | $47.26 | +8.8% | 1,610 |
| North Carolina | $86,320 | $41.50 | -4.5% | 2,860 |
| North Dakota | $72,990 | $35.09 | -19.2% | 70 |
| Ohio | $76,480 | $36.77 | -15.4% | 1,350 |
| Oklahoma | $69,760 | $33.54 | -22.8% | 600 |
| Oregon | $84,000 | $40.38 | -7.1% | 590 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,620 | $42.12 | -3.1% | 1,330 |
| Rhode Island | $102,360 | $49.21 | +13.2% | 150 |
| South Carolina | $82,540 | $39.68 | -8.7% | 700 |
| South Dakota | $63,350 | $30.46 | -29.9% | 70 |
| Tennessee | $79,550 | $38.24 | -12.0% | 480 |
| Texas | $82,750 | $39.78 | -8.5% | 3,340 |
| Utah | $80,270 | $38.59 | -11.2% | 570 |
| Vermont | $87,860 | $42.24 | -2.8% | 60 |
| Virginia | $93,600 | $45.00 | +3.6% | 2,280 |
| Washington | $104,070 | $50.03 | +15.1% | 1,620 |
| West Virginia | — | — | — | 130 |
| Wisconsin | $80,030 | $38.48 | -11.5% | 910 |
| Wyoming | — | — | — | 30 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Cashiers — $32,880/yr
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for technical writers?
The median annual wage for technical writers is $90,390 ($43.46 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays technical writers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many technical writers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 45,500 technical writers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do technical writers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $43.46. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.