As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Technical Writer in the United States is $124,863 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.
However, a Lead Technical Writer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Lead 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Lead Technical Writer | $122,841 |
| Intermediate Level Lead Technical Writer | $123,144 |
| Senior Level Lead Technical Writer | $123,852 |
| Specialist Level Lead Technical Writer | $124,660 |
| Expert Level Lead Technical Writer | $126,048 |
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 Lead Technical Writers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | 3.25% |
| Atlassian | 2.27% |
| Docker | 1.95% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Empathy
|
$143,592 |
15%
|
|
Networking
|
$142,344 |
14%
|
|
Artificial Intelligence
|
$137,349 |
10%
|
|
People Management
|
$137,349 |
10%
|
|
Creativity
|
$137,349 |
10%
|
|
Open Source
|
$137,349 |
10%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead Technical Writers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 a Lead Technical Writer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,436 and $128,196).
Lead Technical Writer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 4.6% |
| High School | 4.6% |
| Associates | 1.5% |
| Bachelors | 55.4% |
| Masters | 36.9% |
| Doctorate | 1.5% |
Understanding how a Lead 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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Lead Technical Writer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $109,423 in 2023 to around $108,861 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Technical Writer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $109,423 |
| 2024 | $109,679 |
| 2025 | $108,861 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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