Technical Writer salary in Illinois
Technical Writers in Illinois earn a median of $88,700 a year ($42.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,890 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $90,390. Illinois ranks 16th of 45 states for technical writers pay. There are 0.17 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $92,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,800 | $28.27 |
| 25th percentile | $73,140 | $35.16 |
| Median | $88,700 | $42.65 |
| 75th percentile | $106,650 | $51.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,890 | $62.93 |
| Average (mean) | $92,610 | $44.53 |
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 | $7,391.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,695.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,411.54 |
| Weekly | $1,705.77 |
| Hourly | $42.65 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $89,960 | 790 |
| Peoria, IL | $87,090 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $80,840 | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,170 | 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,890 | $36.48 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for technical writers in Illinois is $88,700 a year, or $42.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of technical writers in Illinois earn at least $130,890 a year. The top 25% earn $106,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,800 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $73,140 or less.
How many technical writers work in Illinois?
About 1,040 technical writers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.