Technical Writer salary in California
Technical Writers in California earn a median of $104,000 a year ($50.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,510 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $90,390. California ranks 5th of 45 states for technical writers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.29 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $117,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,630 | $33.48 |
| 25th percentile | $84,250 | $40.51 |
| Median | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| 75th percentile | $141,280 | $67.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,510 | $84.38 |
| Average (mean) | $117,060 | $56.28 |
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 | $8,666.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,333.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,000 |
| Weekly | $2,000 |
| Hourly | $50.00 |
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 California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $140,700 | 920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $135,470 | 1,020 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $129,590 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $104,450 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,000 | 1,460 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $101,750 | 520 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $98,800 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $94,400 | 190 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $85,500 | 140 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $76,170 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $76,030 | 60 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $102,630 | $49.34 |
| Writers and Authors | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $70,770 | $34.02 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $116,020 | $55.78 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Interior Designer | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 | $42.54 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for technical writers in California is $104,000 a year, or $50.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in California?
The top 10% of technical writers in California earn at least $175,510 a year. The top 25% earn $141,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,630 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $84,250 or less.
How many technical writers work in California?
About 5,280 technical writers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.