Technical Writer salary in Wisconsin
Technical Writers in Wisconsin earn a median of $80,030 a year ($38.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 910 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,930 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $90,390. Wisconsin ranks 31st of 45 states for technical writers pay. There are 0.31 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,460 | $27.15 |
| 25th percentile | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Median | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| 75th percentile | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,930 | $57.66 |
| Average (mean) | $84,910 | $40.82 |
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 | $6,669.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,334.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,078.08 |
| Weekly | $1,539.04 |
| Hourly | $38.48 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $86,340 | 670 |
| Madison, WI | $86,180 | 180 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $82,370 | 320 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $74,360 | 30 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Editor | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $57,530 | $27.66 |
| Writers and Authors | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,780 | $33.55 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,800 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Interior Designer | $62,740 | $30.17 |
| Floral Designer | $35,010 | $16.83 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for technical writers in Wisconsin is $80,030 a year, or $38.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of technical writers in Wisconsin earn at least $119,930 a year. The top 25% earn $99,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,460 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $62,380 or less.
How many technical writers work in Wisconsin?
About 910 technical writers are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.