Technical Writer salary in Birmingham, AL
Technical Writers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $82,870 a year ($39.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,540 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 3% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $85,840. There are 0.12 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $89,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| 25th percentile | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Median | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| 75th percentile | $99,390 | $47.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,540 | $55.55 |
| Average (mean) | $89,930 | $43.24 |
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 | $6,905.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,452.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,187.31 |
| Weekly | $1,593.65 |
| Hourly | $39.84 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $96,470 | 340 |
| Montgomery, AL | $87,270 | n/a |
| Mobile, AL | $79,980 | 30 |
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,880 | $31.19 |
| Editor | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| Writers and Authors | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,140 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $52,480 | $25.23 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,110 | $31.78 |
| Interior Designer | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Photographer | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $23.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for technical writers in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $82,870 a year, or $39.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $115,540 a year. The top 25% earn $99,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,360 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $63,770 or less.
How many technical writers work in Birmingham, AL?
About 60 technical writers are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.