Technical Writer salary in Iowa
Technical Writers in Iowa earn a median of $66,520 a year ($31.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,970 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $90,390. Iowa ranks 41st of 45 states for technical writers pay. There are 0.41 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| 25th percentile | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Median | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| 75th percentile | $83,760 | $40.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,970 | $47.58 |
| Average (mean) | $72,130 | $34.68 |
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 | $5,543.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,771.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,558.46 |
| Weekly | $1,279.23 |
| Hourly | $31.98 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,170 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $69,450 | 200 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $69,410 | 80 |
| Dubuque, IA | $57,400 | 70 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| Editor | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Writers and Authors | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $93,810 | $45.10 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Interior Designer | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,420 | $33.85 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for technical writers in Iowa is $66,520 a year, or $31.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of technical writers in Iowa earn at least $98,970 a year. The top 25% earn $83,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,750 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $57,660 or less.
How many technical writers work in Iowa?
About 640 technical writers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.