Technical Writer salary in Madison, WI
Technical Writers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $86,180 a year ($41.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,920 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 8% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $80,030. There are 0.44 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,600 | $26.25 |
| 25th percentile | $69,430 | $33.38 |
| Median | $86,180 | $41.43 |
| 75th percentile | $102,000 | $49.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,920 | $53.81 |
| Average (mean) | $86,940 | $41.80 |
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 | $7,181.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,590.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,314.62 |
| Weekly | $1,657.31 |
| Hourly | $41.43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $86,340 | 670 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $82,370 | 320 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $74,360 | 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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Editor | $66,920 | $32.17 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,750 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| Producers and Directors | $68,350 | $32.86 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Interior Designer | $64,780 | $31.15 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Photographer | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Art Director | $83,650 | $40.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for technical writers in the Madison, WI metro area is $86,180 a year, or $41.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $111,920 a year. The top 25% earn $102,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,600 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $69,430 or less.
How many technical writers work in Madison, WI?
About 180 technical writers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.