Technical Writer salary in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
Technical Writers in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area earn a median of $129,590 a year ($62.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,030 for the top 10%. That is 43% higher than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 25% higher than the California statewide median of $104,000. There are 0.21 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $127,330, close to the median.
Pay range for technical writers in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,860 | $39.84 |
| 25th percentile | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Median | $129,590 | $62.30 |
| 75th percentile | $143,520 | $69.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,030 | $80.78 |
| Average (mean) | $127,330 | $61.22 |
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 | $10,799.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,399.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,984.23 |
| Weekly | $2,492.12 |
| Hourly | $62.30 |
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 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 |
| 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 Rosa-Petaluma, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,700 | $38.80 |
| Editor | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Writers and Authors | $107,700 | $51.78 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $84,960 | $40.84 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,440 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $33.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Interior Designer | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| Floral Designer | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Photographer | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Art Director | $110,180 | $52.97 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,290 | $26.58 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, 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 Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
The median salary for technical writers in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area is $129,590 a year, or $62.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area earn at least $168,030 a year. The top 25% earn $143,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,860 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $106,510 or less.
How many technical writers work in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
About 40 technical writers are employed in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.