How much does a technical writer make?
Answer: A typical technical writer in the United States makes $90,390 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 46,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Technical writer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $57,440 | $90,390 | $145,270 | about 46,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $122,320 | about 2,000 |
| Massachusetts | $109,200 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $104,070 | about 2,000 |
| California | $104,000 | about 5,000 |
| Connecticut | $101,870 | about 770 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, sought-after technical skills, and credentials that some employers value. Industry, employer, and location matter too; full-time work is common, but deadlines can bring evening or weekend hours.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a technical writer do?
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
What's a typical day like?
They ask engineers or designers how a product or app works, then turn the details into clear instructions, diagrams, or online help. They review drafts with teammates and update guides using users’ feedback.
How to get this job
In the U.S., most enter after college with a bachelor’s degree, often in English, communications, or journalism, and technical knowledge. No state license is required; certification is optional, and short on-the-job training is common.
Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and creating.
Did you know?
Technical writers may join usability tests—and their findings can lead to changes in the product itself, not just its instructions.
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Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/27-3042.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/Technical_Writer_National_Occupational
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY