Technical Writer salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Technical Writers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $80,610 a year ($38.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,550 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 8% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $87,620. There are 0.13 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $88,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,210 | $25.58 |
| 25th percentile | $65,040 | $31.27 |
| Median | $80,610 | $38.76 |
| 75th percentile | $108,490 | $52.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,550 | $62.28 |
| Average (mean) | $88,820 | $42.70 |
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 | $6,717.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,358.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,100.38 |
| Weekly | $1,550.19 |
| Hourly | $38.76 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $92,330 | 710 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $90,230 | 60 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $71,580 | 30 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,510 | $33.90 |
| Editor | $62,930 | $30.26 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $70,000 | $33.66 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $54,390 | $26.15 |
| Writers and Authors | $77,740 | $37.37 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $41,690 | $20.04 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $63,970 | $30.75 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $40,570 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Producers and Directors | $73,280 | $35.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| Floral Designer | $35,080 | $16.86 |
| Interior Designer | $65,140 | $31.32 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for technical writers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $80,610 a year, or $38.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $129,550 a year. The top 25% earn $108,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,210 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $65,040 or less.
How many technical writers work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 40 technical writers are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.