Technical Writer salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Technical Writers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $80,840 a year ($38.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,170 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is about the same as the Missouri statewide median of $80,840. There are 0.15 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $93,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,740 | $27.28 |
| 25th percentile | $63,510 | $30.53 |
| Median | $80,840 | $38.86 |
| 75th percentile | $101,170 | $48.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,170 | $71.72 |
| Average (mean) | $93,500 | $44.95 |
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 | $6,736.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,368.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,109.23 |
| Weekly | $1,554.62 |
| Hourly | $38.86 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $89,960 | 790 |
| Peoria, IL | $87,090 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,170 | 60 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $76,590 | 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Editor | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Writers and Authors | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $57,480 | $27.64 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $52,460 | $25.22 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,310 | $36.69 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,970 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,030 | $25.01 |
| Producers and Directors | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $34,360 | — |
| Interior Designer | $61,570 | $29.60 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for technical writers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $80,840 a year, or $38.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of technical writers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $149,170 a year. The top 25% earn $101,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,740 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $63,510 or less.
How many technical writers work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 200 technical writers are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.