Technical Writer salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Technical Writers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $82,370 a year ($39.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,100 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $80,030. There are 0.39 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $90,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| 25th percentile | $69,280 | $33.31 |
| Median | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| 75th percentile | $100,850 | $48.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,100 | $67.36 |
| Average (mean) | $90,210 | $43.37 |
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 | $6,864.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,432.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,168.08 |
| Weekly | $1,584.04 |
| Hourly | $39.60 |
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 |
| Madison, WI | $86,180 | 180 |
| 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Editor | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,370 | $23.26 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,520 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,070 | $19.27 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,590 | $38.75 |
| Interior Designer | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Photographer | $44,940 | $21.61 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for technical writers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $82,370 a year, or $39.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $140,100 a year. The top 25% earn $100,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,360 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $69,280 or less.
How many technical writers work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 320 technical writers are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.