Technical Writer salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Technical Writers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $102,140 a year ($49.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,210 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 1% higher than the Maryland statewide median of $100,990. There are 0.60 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| 25th percentile | $79,730 | $38.33 |
| Median | $102,140 | $49.11 |
| 75th percentile | $125,380 | $60.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,210 | $77.99 |
| Average (mean) | $106,110 | $51.01 |
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 | $8,511.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,255.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,928.46 |
| Weekly | $1,964.23 |
| Hourly | $49.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Technical Writer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,910 | 2,370 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $97,810 | 80 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $92,330 | 710 |
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 |
See Technical Writer pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Editor | $79,730 | $38.33 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Writers and Authors | $87,020 | $41.84 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $69,740 | $33.53 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $60,640 | $29.15 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $71,350 | $34.31 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,440 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Interior Designer | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Producers and Directors | $80,850 | $38.87 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for technical writers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $102,140 a year, or $49.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $162,210 a year. The top 25% earn $125,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,610 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $79,730 or less.
How many technical writers work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 820 technical writers are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.