Technical Writer salary in District of Columbia
Technical Writers in District of Columbia earn a median of $117,810 a year ($56.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,770 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $90,390. District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 45 states for technical writers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.63 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $112,210, close to the median.
Pay range for technical writers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,720 | $35.93 |
| 25th percentile | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Median | $117,810 | $56.64 |
| 75th percentile | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,770 | $71.53 |
| Average (mean) | $112,210 | $53.95 |
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 | $9,817.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,908.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,531.15 |
| Weekly | $2,265.58 |
| Hourly | $56.64 |
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 District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,910 | 2,370 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $102,740 | $49.40 |
| Editor | $83,920 | $40.35 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $105,390 | $50.67 |
| Writers and Authors | $129,300 | $62.16 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $109,970 | $52.87 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Producers and Directors | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| Graphic Designer | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $65,360 | — |
| Interior Designer | $98,450 | $47.33 |
| Film and Video Editors | $98,830 | $47.51 |
| Broadcast Technician | $108,270 | $52.05 |
| Photographer | $110,970 | $53.35 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for technical writers in District of Columbia is $117,810 a year, or $56.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of technical writers in District of Columbia earn at least $148,770 a year. The top 25% earn $128,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,720 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $84,990 or less.
How many technical writers work in District of Columbia?
About 440 technical writers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.