Technical Writer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Technical Writers Make?
Technical Writers earn a median annual salary of $91,670 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $54,400 at the 10th percentile to $130,430 at the 90th percentile — a range of $76,030. The highest-paying state is Connecticut at $109,400.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $54,400 |
| 25th percentile | $68,640 |
| Median (50th) | $91,670 |
| 75th percentile | $102,740 |
| 90th percentile | $130,430 |
Technical Writer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticuttop | $109,400 |
| Colorado | $103,960 |
| Massachusetts | $102,640 |
| Rhode Island | $100,580 |
| California | $100,440 |
| Maryland | $98,350 |
| Washington | $93,230 |
| New Hampshire | $91,710 |
| District of Columbia | $89,180 |
| North Carolina | $87,330 |
| New Jersey | $86,990 |
| Nevada | $85,860 |
| Virginia | $84,000 |
| Vermont | $83,680 |
| Oregon | $83,200 |
| New York | $82,980 |
| Arizona | $82,100 |
| Missouri | $81,150 |
| Florida | $80,840 |
| Alaska | $80,640 |
| Alabama | $80,570 |
| Illinois | $79,690 |
| Idaho | $79,490 |
| Texas | $79,060 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,970 |
| New Mexico | $78,840 |
| Michigan | $78,750 |
| South Carolina | $78,660 |
| Indiana | $78,240 |
| Tennessee | $76,950 |
| Minnesota | $76,770 |
| Wisconsin | $76,090 |
| Utah | $74,940 |
| Georgia | $72,440 |
| Kansas | $72,330 |
| Kentucky | $70,970 |
| Ohio | $70,640 |
| Maine | $70,570 |
| Oklahoma | $66,560 |
| North Dakota | $65,740 |
| Nebraska | $65,480 |
| Iowa | $63,680 |
| Montana | $63,090 |
| Mississippi | $62,680 |
| Arkansas | $62,490 |
| West Virginia | $62,250 |
| South Dakota | $60,310 |
| Louisiana | $59,250 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Technical Writers
Technical Writer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$54,400 – $68,640 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$91,670 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$102,740 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $130,430+ |
How to Earn More as a Technical Writer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Technical Writers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $135,880 — $44,210 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($102,740) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Technical Writer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Technical Writerthis career | $91,670 |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,790 |
| Database Administrator | $104,620 |
| Computer Programmer | $98,670 |
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SOC: 27-3042.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.