Technical Writer salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Technical Writers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $104,450 a year ($50.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,090 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is about the same as the California statewide median of $104,000. There are 0.29 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $111,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| 25th percentile | $84,280 | $40.52 |
| Median | $104,450 | $50.21 |
| 75th percentile | $135,670 | $65.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,090 | $71.68 |
| Average (mean) | $111,700 | $53.70 |
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 | $8,704.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,352.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,017.31 |
| Weekly | $2,008.65 |
| Hourly | $50.21 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $85,500 | 140 |
| 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Editor | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $82,440 | $39.63 |
| Writers and Authors | $74,820 | $35.97 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,710 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,860 | $36.95 |
| Interior Designer | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $94,590 | $45.48 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $68,940 | $33.14 |
| Fashion Designer | $108,220 | $52.03 |
| Floral Designer | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Photographer | $55,220 | $26.55 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for technical writers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $104,450 a year, or $50.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $149,090 a year. The top 25% earn $135,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,160 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $84,280 or less.
How many technical writers work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 60 technical writers are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.