Technical Writer salary in Charlottesville, VA
Technical Writers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $93,530 a year ($44.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,040 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is about the same as the Virginia statewide median of $93,600. There are 0.32 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $104,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,920 | $35.06 |
| 25th percentile | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Median | $93,530 | $44.97 |
| 75th percentile | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,040 | $76.94 |
| Average (mean) | $104,820 | $50.39 |
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 | $7,794.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,897.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,597.31 |
| Weekly | $1,798.65 |
| Hourly | $44.97 |
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 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $79,340 | 350 |
| Richmond, VA | $79,200 | 180 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Editor | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Writers and Authors | $76,990 | $37.01 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $65,910 | $31.69 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $52,450 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,540 | $18.53 |
| Producers and Directors | $54,140 | $26.03 |
| Photographer | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Interior Designer | $59,290 | $28.51 |
| Floral Designer | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $33,340 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, VA
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 Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for technical writers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $93,530 a year, or $44.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $160,040 a year. The top 25% earn $122,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,920 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $79,350 or less.
How many technical writers work in Charlottesville, VA?
About 40 technical writers are employed in the Charlottesville, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.