Technical Writer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Technical Writers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $79,340 a year ($38.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,800 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 15% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $93,600. There are 0.47 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,820 | $26.36 |
| 25th percentile | $62,120 | $29.87 |
| Median | $79,340 | $38.14 |
| 75th percentile | $97,250 | $46.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,800 | $58.08 |
| Average (mean) | $84,090 | $40.43 |
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 | $6,611.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,305.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,051.54 |
| Weekly | $1,525.77 |
| Hourly | $38.14 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,910 | 2,370 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $94,520 | 390 |
| Wilmington, NC | $93,750 | 70 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $93,580 | 630 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $93,530 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $88,840 | 130 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $87,940 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,610 | 560 |
| Richmond, VA | $79,200 | 180 |
| Asheville, NC | $68,180 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,890 | $35.52 |
| Editor | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Writers and Authors | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $60,430 | $29.05 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $55,210 | $26.54 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,810 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Producers and Directors | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Interior Designer | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| Photographer | $42,210 | $20.29 |
| Broadcast Technician | $50,720 | $24.39 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for technical writers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $79,340 a year, or $38.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $120,800 a year. The top 25% earn $97,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,820 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $62,120 or less.
How many technical writers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 350 technical writers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.