How much does a technical writer make?
a year · about $43 an hour
A typical technical writer in the United States makes $90,390 a year, about $43 an hour, about 1.8× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? Technical writers may join usability tests—and their findings can lead to changes in the product itself, not just its instructions.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $57,440 and $145,270How do you become one?
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.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like keeping things organized and creating
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New Jersey ($122,320), lowest in Iowa ($66,520).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| 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 |
Official definition: Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
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