Technical Writer salary in Arizona
Technical Writers in Arizona earn a median of $79,780 a year ($38.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,930 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $90,390. Arizona ranks 32nd of 45 states for technical writers pay. There are 0.23 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $86,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,100 | $28.89 |
| 25th percentile | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Median | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| 75th percentile | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,930 | $57.66 |
| Average (mean) | $86,510 | $41.59 |
Half of technical writers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,648.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,324.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,068.46 |
| Weekly | $1,534.23 |
| Hourly | $38.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Technical Writer salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $83,480 | 490 |
| Tucson, AZ | $75,070 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for technical writers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $122,320 |
| District of Columbia | $117,810 |
| Massachusetts | $109,200 |
| Washington | $104,070 |
| California | $104,000 |
| Rhode Island | $102,360 |
| Connecticut | $101,870 |
| Maryland | $100,990 |
| Colorado | $100,610 |
| New York | $98,310 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Editor | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Writers and Authors | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,100 | $20.72 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $53,130 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $58,510 | $28.13 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Producers and Directors | $67,320 | $32.36 |
| Interior Designer | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Photographer | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,140 | $22.67 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical writer make in Arizona?
The median salary for technical writers in Arizona is $79,780 a year, or $38.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Arizona?
The top 10% of technical writers in Arizona earn at least $119,930 a year. The top 25% earn $100,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,100 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $67,600 or less.
How many technical writers work in Arizona?
About 730 technical writers are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.