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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Technical Writer in Illinois is $65,401 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, an Entry Level Technical Writer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Entry Level Technical Writer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $70,901 | $5,908 | $1,363 | $34 |
| Average | $65,401 | $5,450 | $1,258 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,901 | $4,992 | $1,152 | $29 |
Interlake Mecalux - Melrose Park, IL
TOGA Technology - Naperville, IL
Marvin - GRAFTON, ND
Marvin - PEMBINA, ND
An Entry Level Technical Writer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Technical Writer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Technical Writer | 0-2 years | $65,348 |
| Intermediate Technical Writer | 2-4 years | $78,539 |
| Senior Technical Writer | 4-7 years | $98,594 |
| Technical Product Documentation Writer IV | 7+ years | $115,632 |
| Technical Writing/Documentation Supervisor III | 7+ years | $109,406 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Level Technical Writers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Entry Level Technical Writer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $73,213. While startup companies pay approximate $61,936.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $61,936 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $65,505 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $70,700 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $73,213 |
For Entry Level Technical Writer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 27% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 12% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Technical Writer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Technical Writer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $73,249 | $35.0 | 12% |
| Software & Networking | $72,595 | $35.0 | 11% |
| Construction | $71,941 | $35.0 | 10% |
| Internet | $70,633 | $34.0 | 8% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $69,325 | $33.0 | 6% |
Understanding how an Entry Level Technical Writer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $70,901 | $5,908 | $1,363 | $34 |
| Average | $65,401 | $5,450 | $1,258 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,901 | $4,992 | $1,152 | $29 |
For an Entry Level Technical Writer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Technical Writer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $78,600 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Level Technical Writer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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