Technical Writer salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Technical Writers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $93,580 a year ($44.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,750 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 8% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $86,320. There are 0.85 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,630 | $31.55 |
| 25th percentile | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| Median | $93,580 | $44.99 |
| 75th percentile | $122,840 | $59.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,750 | $75.84 |
| Average (mean) | $102,640 | $49.35 |
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 | $7,798.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,899.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,599.23 |
| Weekly | $1,799.62 |
| Hourly | $44.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $94,520 | 390 |
| Wilmington, NC | $93,750 | 70 |
| 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 |
See Technical Writer pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| Writers and Authors | $69,100 | $33.22 |
| Editor | $76,360 | $36.71 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $42,020 | $20.20 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,180 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $61,700 | $29.67 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Interior Designer | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $67,460 | $32.43 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,770 | $22.49 |
| Photographer | $41,130 | $19.78 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for technical writers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $93,580 a year, or $44.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $157,750 a year. The top 25% earn $122,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,630 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $77,730 or less.
How many technical writers work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 630 technical writers are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.