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Intermediate Technical Writer Salary in the United States

How much does an Intermediate Technical Writer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Technical Writer in the United States is $77,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, an Intermediate Technical Writer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $92,957
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,700 to $85,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,052

Key Factors That Influence Intermediate Technical Writer Salaries

An Intermediate 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Intermediate Technical Writer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate 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:

  • Entry Technical Writer (0-2 years): $64,112
  • Intermediate Technical Writer (2-4 years): $77,053
  • Senior Technical Writer (4-7 years): $96,727
  • Technical Product Documentation Writer IV (7+ years): $113,453
  • Technical Writing/Documentation Supervisor III (7+ years): $107,343
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Technical Writer0-2 years$64,112
Intermediate Technical Writer2-4 years$77,053
Senior Technical Writer4-7 years$96,727
Technical Product Documentation Writer IV7+ years$113,453
Technical Writing/Documentation Supervisor III7+ years$107,343

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate Technical Writers

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:

  • San Jose: $97,200
  • San Francisco: $96,200
  • Oakland: $94,100

What Skills Can Increase an Intermediate Technical Writer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 3.56% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 2.41% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
  • Logistics (Mentioned in 1.64% Job Postings): In a general business sense, logistics is the management of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the requirements of customers or corporations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 3.56%
PowerPoint 2.41%
Logistics 1.64%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Intermediate Technical Writer's salary.

  • UI: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • API: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
UI $80,184
4%
API $80,184
4%
Leadership $79,413
3%

Intermediate Technical Writer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intermediate Technical Writer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,162. While startup companies pay approximate $72,885.

Intermediate Technical Writer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $72,885
Growth Stage 51~500 $77,083
Established 501~5000 $83,201
Enterprise 5000+ $86,162

Intermediate Technical Writer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intermediate Technical Writer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Technical Writer positions in Healthcare or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Technical Writer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intermediate Technical Writer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$92,520$44.020%
Financial Services$88,665$43.015%
MFG Durable$86,352$42.012%
Aerospace & Defense$84,810$41.010%
Hospitality & Leisure$83,268$40.08%

How Education impacts an Intermediate Technical Writer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Technical Writers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Intermediate Technical Writer with a Associate's Degree is between $73,252 and $77,651).

Intermediate Technical Writer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intermediate Technical Writer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 4.7%
Associates 5.7%
Bachelors 64.7%
Masters 22.0%
Doctorate 2.7%

Intermediate Technical Writer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Intermediate 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$68,700
Average $77,100/year
$85,400
$5,725
Average $6,425/month
$7,117
$1,321
Average $1,483/week
$1,642
$33
Average $37/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $85,400 $7,117 $1,642 $41
Average $77,100 $6,425 $1,483 $37
25th Percentile $68,700 $5,725 $1,321 $33

Intermediate Technical Writer Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Intermediate Technical Writer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Senior Technical Writer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $96,800 - a projected growth of 26% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Intermediate Technical Writer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Intermediate Technical Writer

Here are companies hiring for Intermediate Technical Writer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Intermediate Technical Writer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Intermediate Technical Writer?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Technical Writer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What degree is best for technical writing?

Employers typically seek candidates with a bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism, or a related field for technical writing positions. Additionally, familiarity with a technical area, such as engineering or IT, is often beneficial. The salary for an Intermediate Technical Writer ranges from $71,500 to $87,100, with a midpoint of $78,600.

3. How much do AI technical writers make?

AI technical writers typically earn between $71,500 and $87,100 annually, with a median salary of around $78,600. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise in the field, making it a competitive career choice for those with the right skills.

4. Do technical writers need to code?

Technical writers should have a basic understanding of coding, but they don't need to be full-fledged engineers. Familiarity with various programming languages can be beneficial, especially when working on client implementations. In terms of compensation, the salary for an Intermediate Technical Writer ranges from $71,500 to $87,100, with a midpoint of $78,600.

5. Is technical writing in high demand?

Yes, technical writing is in high demand, with a projected growth rate of 4% from 2023 to 2033, aligning with the average for all occupations. This growth will create approximately 2,000 new jobs over the decade. Intermediate technical writers can expect salaries ranging from $71,500 to $87,100, with a median salary of $78,600.

6. How much do junior technical writers make?

How much does a Junior Technical Writer make? The estimated total pay for a Junior Technical Writer typically ranges from $71,500 to $87,100 per year, with an average salary around $78,600 annually.

7. Which company pays highest salary to technical writers?

The highest-paying companies for Intermediate Technical Writers vary by industry. In Arts, Entertainment & Recreation, Sony Interactive Entertainment leads the way. In Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology, top payers include Illumina, Pfizer, and Eli Lilly and Company. Salaries for this role typically range from $71,500 to $87,100, with a midpoint around $78,600.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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