Technical Writer salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Technical Writers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $94,520 a year ($45.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,380 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 9% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $86,320. There are 1.1 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| 25th percentile | $73,000 | $35.09 |
| Median | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| 75th percentile | $124,090 | $59.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,380 | $80.47 |
| Average (mean) | $102,150 | $49.11 |
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 | $7,876.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,938.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,635.38 |
| Weekly | $1,817.69 |
| Hourly | $45.44 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $93,750 | 70 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $93,580 | 630 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $88,840 | 130 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $87,940 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,610 | 560 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $79,340 | 350 |
| Asheville, NC | $68,180 | 60 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Editor | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Writers and Authors | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Producers and Directors | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Photographer | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Interior Designer | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Art Director | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Floral Designer | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $28.56 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for technical writers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $94,520 a year, or $45.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $167,380 a year. The top 25% earn $124,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,790 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $73,000 or less.
How many technical writers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 390 technical writers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.