Technical Writer salary in South Dakota
Technical Writers in South Dakota earn a median of $63,350 a year ($30.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,090 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $90,390. South Dakota ranks 44th of 45 states for technical writers pay. There are 0.14 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $65,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,490 | $23.79 |
| 25th percentile | $53,730 | $25.83 |
| Median | $63,350 | $30.46 |
| 75th percentile | $75,500 | $36.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Average (mean) | $65,090 | $31.29 |
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 | $5,279.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,639.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,436.54 |
| Weekly | $1,218.27 |
| Hourly | $30.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,630 | $19.53 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,140 | $25.55 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,520 | $20.92 |
| Editor | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Writers and Authors | $56,700 | $27.26 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,210 | $36.16 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,360 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $48,390 | $23.26 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| Choreographer | $40,320 | $19.39 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Floral Designer | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Photographer | $45,330 | $21.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for technical writers in South Dakota is $63,350 a year, or $30.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of technical writers in South Dakota earn at least $84,090 a year. The top 25% earn $75,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,490 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $53,730 or less.
How many technical writers work in South Dakota?
About 70 technical writers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.