Technical Writer salary in New York
Technical Writers in New York earn a median of $98,310 a year ($47.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,570 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $90,390. New York ranks 10th 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 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $100,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,560 | $25.75 |
| 25th percentile | $73,440 | $35.31 |
| Median | $98,310 | $47.26 |
| 75th percentile | $121,500 | $58.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,570 | $73.35 |
| Average (mean) | $100,460 | $48.30 |
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 | $8,192.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,096.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,781.15 |
| Weekly | $1,890.58 |
| Hourly | $47.26 |
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 New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $111,050 | 2,170 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $90,500 | 80 |
| Syracuse, NY | $84,520 | 80 |
| Rochester, NY | $78,370 | 70 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $78,300 | 80 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Editor | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $100,770 | $48.45 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $81,110 | $39.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $107,550 | $51.71 |
| Graphic Designer | $77,340 | $37.19 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $59,920 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Art Director | $137,320 | $66.02 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Actor | — | $28.44 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for technical writers in New York is $98,310 a year, or $47.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in New York?
The top 10% of technical writers in New York earn at least $152,570 a year. The top 25% earn $121,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,560 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $73,440 or less.
How many technical writers work in New York?
About 1,610 technical writers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.