Technical Writer salary in Columbia, SC
Technical Writers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $77,640 a year ($37.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,590 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 6% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $82,540. There are 0.22 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $81,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,120 | $26.98 |
| 25th percentile | $61,910 | $29.77 |
| Median | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| 75th percentile | $88,100 | $42.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,590 | $52.21 |
| Average (mean) | $81,510 | $39.19 |
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 | $6,470 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,235 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,986.15 |
| Weekly | $1,493.08 |
| Hourly | $37.33 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $103,730 | 160 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $88,610 | 150 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,610 | 560 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $67,910 | 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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,200 | $25.09 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Editor | $67,530 | $32.46 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Writers and Authors | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Producers and Directors | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Art Director | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Photographer | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Interior Designer | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Floral Designer | $27,830 | $13.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for technical writers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $77,640 a year, or $37.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $108,590 a year. The top 25% earn $88,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,120 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $61,910 or less.
How many technical writers work in Columbia, SC?
About 90 technical writers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.