Technical Writer salary in Pennsylvania
Technical Writers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $87,620 a year ($42.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,180 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pennsylvania ranks 18th of 45 states for technical writers pay. There are 0.22 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $95,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,220 | $26.07 |
| 25th percentile | $71,980 | $34.61 |
| Median | $87,620 | $42.12 |
| 75th percentile | $105,300 | $50.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,180 | $76.05 |
| Average (mean) | $95,660 | $45.99 |
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 | $7,301.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,650.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,370 |
| Weekly | $1,685 |
| Hourly | $42.12 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $92,330 | 710 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $90,230 | 60 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $80,610 | 40 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $71,580 | 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 |
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $57,460 | $27.62 |
| Editor | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $57,040 | $27.42 |
| Writers and Authors | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $52,080 | $25.04 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $65,100 | $31.30 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,470 | $33.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,730 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Producers and Directors | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Photographer | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| Floral Designer | $35,920 | $17.27 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for technical writers in Pennsylvania is $87,620 a year, or $42.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of technical writers in Pennsylvania earn at least $158,180 a year. The top 25% earn $105,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,220 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $71,980 or less.
How many technical writers work in Pennsylvania?
About 1,330 technical writers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.