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Hourly Wage for Technical Writer I Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Technical Writer I?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Technical Writer I in the United States is $31, which translates to an annual salary of about $64,111.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $36 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $28 to $33 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $26 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Technical Writer I Salaries

A Technical Writer I'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 Technical Writer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Technical Writer I'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:

  • Technical Writer I (0-2 years): $64,111
  • Technical Writer II (2-4 years): $77,052
  • Technical Writer III (4-7 years): $96,727
  • Technical Writer IV (7+ years): $113,443
  • Technical Writing Supervisor (7+ years): $107,334
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Technical Writer I0-2 years$64,111
Technical Writer II2-4 years$77,052
Technical Writer III4-7 years$96,727
Technical Writer IV7+ years$113,443
Technical Writing Supervisor7+ years$107,334
View as Graph

How Do Technical Writer Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Technical Writer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $70,984.
  • California: $70,714.
  • Massachusetts: $69,772.

Top Paying Cities for Technical Writer I

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: $80,863
  • San Francisco: $79,978
  • Oakland: $78,292

What Skills Can Increase a Technical Writer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 3.53% 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 2.4% 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 1.59% 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 3.53%
PowerPoint 2.4%
Logistics 1.59%
See More Skills

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 a Technical Writer I's salary.

  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • HTML: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight $67,958
6%
HTML $66,034
3%
Collaboration $66,034
3%
Get Latest Data

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

Technical Writer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $71,769. While startup companies pay approximate $60,715.

Technical Writer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $60,715
Growth Stage 51~500 $64,213
Established 501~5000 $69,305
Enterprise 5000+ $71,769

Technical Writer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Technical Writer I 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, Technical Writer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Technical Writer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Technical Writer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$71,804$35.012%
Software & Networking$71,163$34.011%
Construction$70,522$34.010%
Internet$69,240$33.08%
Pharmaceuticals$67,958$33.06%

How Education impacts an Technical Writer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Technical Writer I enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Technical Writer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $61,971 and $65,625.

Technical Writer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Technical Writer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 6.2%
Associates 4.5%
Bachelors 65.9%
Masters 20.7%
Doctorate 2.3%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Technical Writer I'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 August 01, 2026
$58,699
Average $64,111/year
$69,553
$4,892
Average $5,343/month
$5,796
$1,129
Average $1,233/week
$1,338
$28
Average $31/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $69,553 $5,796 $1,338 $33
Average $64,111 $5,343 $1,233 $31
25th Percentile $58,699 $4,892 $1,129 $28

Most common benefits for Technical Writer I

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

Common company salaries for Technical Writer I

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

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FAQ about Technical Writer I

1. What are the responsibilities of Technical Writer I?

Creates and publishes technical documentations and manuals. Collects and interprets technical data or information and coordinates layout for publication. Typically requires a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Typically reports to a manager. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Technical Writer I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Presentation: 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.

2.)

PowerPoint: 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.

3.)

Logistics: 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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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