Technical Writer salary in Kentucky
Technical Writers in Kentucky earn a median of $81,070 a year ($38.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,350 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $90,390. Kentucky ranks 28th 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 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $83,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| 25th percentile | $60,020 | $28.85 |
| Median | $81,070 | $38.97 |
| 75th percentile | $99,240 | $47.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,350 | $57.86 |
| Average (mean) | $83,190 | $40.00 |
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 | $6,755.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,377.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,118.08 |
| Weekly | $1,559.04 |
| Hourly | $38.97 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $89,260 | n/a |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $79,140 | 370 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $68,900 | 50 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Editor | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,590 | $25.77 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Writers and Authors | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $50,350 | $24.21 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $39,050 | $18.78 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $35,570 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Producers and Directors | $54,550 | $26.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Interior Designer | $59,240 | $28.48 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for technical writers in Kentucky is $81,070 a year, or $38.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of technical writers in Kentucky earn at least $120,350 a year. The top 25% earn $99,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,300 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $60,020 or less.
How many technical writers work in Kentucky?
About 340 technical writers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.