Technical Writer salary in Washington
Technical Writers in Washington earn a median of $104,070 a year ($50.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,810 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $90,390. Washington ranks 4th of 45 states for technical writers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.46 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $109,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| 25th percentile | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Median | $104,070 | $50.03 |
| 75th percentile | $131,940 | $63.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,810 | $81.64 |
| Average (mean) | $109,840 | $52.81 |
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 | $8,672.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,336.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,002.69 |
| Weekly | $2,001.35 |
| Hourly | $50.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Technical Writer salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $119,160 | 80 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $107,580 | 1,220 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $85,050 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $84,300 | 70 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $81,540 | 460 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Editor | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $54,760 | $26.33 |
| Writers and Authors | $85,700 | $41.20 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $52,590 | $25.28 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,030 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for technical writers in Washington is $104,070 a year, or $50.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Washington?
The top 10% of technical writers in Washington earn at least $169,810 a year. The top 25% earn $131,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,420 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $78,680 or less.
How many technical writers work in Washington?
About 1,620 technical writers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.