Technical Writer salary in Columbus, OH
Technical Writers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $78,870 a year ($37.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,460 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 3% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $76,480. There are 0.21 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $90,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,730 | $26.79 |
| 25th percentile | $65,990 | $31.72 |
| Median | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| 75th percentile | $103,960 | $49.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Average (mean) | $90,870 | $43.69 |
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 | $6,572.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,286.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,033.46 |
| Weekly | $1,516.73 |
| Hourly | $37.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $79,140 | 370 |
| Cleveland, OH | $75,810 | 200 |
| Akron, OH | $70,790 | 60 |
| Toledo, OH | $65,310 | 40 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $64,380 | 190 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,280 | $35.23 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,380 | $26.62 |
| Editor | $77,810 | $37.41 |
| Writers and Authors | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,810 | $21.55 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $67,330 | $32.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,490 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Interior Designer | $62,180 | $29.89 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,930 | $36.99 |
| Floral Designer | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Photographer | $41,390 | $19.90 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for technical writers in the Columbus, OH metro area is $78,870 a year, or $37.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $140,460 a year. The top 25% earn $103,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,730 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $65,990 or less.
How many technical writers work in Columbus, OH?
About 240 technical writers are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.