Technical Writer salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Technical Writers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $89,960 a year ($43.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,770 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 1% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $88,700. There are 0.18 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $93,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| 25th percentile | $73,150 | $35.17 |
| Median | $89,960 | $43.25 |
| 75th percentile | $108,890 | $52.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,770 | $65.28 |
| Average (mean) | $93,820 | $45.11 |
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 | $7,496.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,748.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,460 |
| Weekly | $1,730 |
| Hourly | $43.25 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $89,260 | n/a |
| Peoria, IL | $87,090 | 40 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $82,970 | 240 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $80,840 | 200 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $79,140 | 370 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,170 | 60 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $63,570 | 40 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $60,480 | 40 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Writers and Authors | $75,940 | $36.51 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $59,660 | $28.68 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $70,350 | $33.82 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $49,470 | $23.78 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $89,620 | $43.09 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for technical writers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $89,960 a year, or $43.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $135,770 a year. The top 25% earn $108,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,960 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $73,150 or less.
How many technical writers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 790 technical writers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.