Technical Writer Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$92,000
national median salary
$69,000 to $103,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $90,390 for Technical Writers (SOC 27-3042) across the United States, based on 45,500 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$57,440
25th percentile
$70,880
Median
$90,390
75th percentile
$115,510
90th percentile
$145,270
Workers surveyed
45,500
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$91,670
May 2025 release
$90,390
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Technical Writers (SOC 27-3042) rather than Technical Writerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 27-3042Highest Paying
$131,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$96,000
San Francisco, CA
Lowest Paying
$71,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 27-3042. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Technical Writer salary in the United States at $92,000 in 2026, within a range of $69,000 to $103,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $131,000, while San Francisco offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Domain expertise in APIs, developer documentation, or regulated industries like medical devices and aerospace creates significant pay premiums.
Technical Writer salary by city.
Skills that increase Technical Writer pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Technical Writers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $12,880 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$12,880 per year
≈ +$11,960 per year
≈ +$11,040 per year
≈ +$10,120 per year
≈ +$10,120 per year
≈ +$9,200 per year
≈ +$9,200 per year
≈ +$8,280 per year
What you should know.
Domain expertise in APIs, developer documentation, or regulated industries like medical devices and aerospace creates significant pay premiums. Writers who can read code, build documentation sites, and work directly with engineering teams command 15 to 25% more than generalists.
Junior Technical Writers start at $66,000 to $75,000. Mid-level writers with domain expertise earn $82,000 to $98,000. Senior Technical Writers and Documentation Leads reach $100,000 to $125,000, while Documentation Directors at large companies can exceed $140,000.
Tech companies frequently offer RSUs adding $10,000 to $25,000 annually. Annual bonuses of 5 to 10% are common. Remote work is widely available, and many employers provide home office stipends and learning budgets.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Technical Writers typically earn $78,000 (15% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Technical Writer pay.
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