Technical Writer salary in North Carolina
Technical Writers in North Carolina earn a median of $86,320 a year ($41.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,950 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $90,390. North Carolina ranks 19th of 45 states for technical writers pay. There are 0.58 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| 25th percentile | $70,390 | $33.84 |
| Median | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| 75th percentile | $103,590 | $49.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,950 | $67.28 |
| Average (mean) | $91,620 | $44.05 |
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 | $7,193.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,596.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,320 |
| Weekly | $1,660 |
| Hourly | $41.50 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $94,520 | 390 |
| Wilmington, NC | $93,750 | 70 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $93,580 | 630 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $88,840 | 130 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $87,940 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,610 | 560 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $79,340 | 350 |
| Asheville, NC | $68,180 | 60 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Editor | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,660 | $30.60 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $42,920 | $20.64 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Photographer | $37,120 | $17.84 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for technical writers in North Carolina is $86,320 a year, or $41.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of technical writers in North Carolina earn at least $139,950 a year. The top 25% earn $103,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,790 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $70,390 or less.
How many technical writers work in North Carolina?
About 2,860 technical writers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.