Technical Writer salary in Richmond, VA
Technical Writers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $79,200 a year ($38.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,630 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 15% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $93,600. There are 0.27 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,060 | $25.51 |
| 25th percentile | $63,720 | $30.63 |
| Median | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| 75th percentile | $101,820 | $48.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,630 | $57.99 |
| Average (mean) | $84,420 | $40.59 |
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 | $6,600 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,300 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,046.15 |
| Weekly | $1,523.08 |
| Hourly | $38.08 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,910 | 2,370 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $93,530 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $79,340 | 350 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| Editor | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Writers and Authors | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $78,030 | $37.52 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Interior Designer | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| Producers and Directors | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Photographer | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Art Director | $99,610 | $47.89 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $89,360 | $42.96 |
| Floral Designer | $37,460 | $18.01 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for technical writers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $79,200 a year, or $38.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $120,630 a year. The top 25% earn $101,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,060 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $63,720 or less.
How many technical writers work in Richmond, VA?
About 180 technical writers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.