Technical Writer salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Technical Writers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median of $85,500 a year ($41.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,310 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 18% lower than the California statewide median of $104,000. There are 0.08 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $90,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,010 | $25.49 |
| 25th percentile | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Median | $85,500 | $41.10 |
| 75th percentile | $113,650 | $54.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,310 | $62.65 |
| Average (mean) | $90,160 | $43.34 |
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 | $7,125 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,562.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,288.46 |
| Weekly | $1,644.23 |
| Hourly | $41.10 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $140,700 | 920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $135,470 | 1,020 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $129,590 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $104,450 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,000 | 1,460 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $101,750 | 520 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $98,800 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $94,400 | 190 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $76,170 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $76,030 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,010 | $37.03 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $74,310 | $35.73 |
| Editor | $70,560 | $33.93 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $133,900 | $64.37 |
| Writers and Authors | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $66,780 | $32.11 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $45,260 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Graphic Designer | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $58,380 | $28.07 |
| Producers and Directors | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Photographer | $43,710 | $21.02 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The median salary for technical writers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $85,500 a year, or $41.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn at least $130,310 a year. The top 25% earn $113,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,010 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $63,330 or less.
How many technical writers work in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
About 140 technical writers are employed in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.