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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Technical Writer in Illinois is $76,256 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, a Principal Technical Writer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Principal Technical Writer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $84,024 | $7,002 | $1,616 | $40 |
| Average | $76,256 | $6,355 | $1,466 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,245 | $5,604 | $1,293 | $32 |
Sterling Engineering Inc. - La Grange, IL
Jobsultant Solutions - Vernon Hills, IL
ExecutivePlacements.com - The JOB Portal - Elgin, IL
Paragon Technology - New Baden, IL
A Principal 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 a Principal 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 |
|---|---|
| Technical... Level Principal Technical Writer | $63,969 |
| Principal... Level Principal Technical Writer | $76,882 |
| Technical... Level Principal Technical Writer | $96,514 |
| Technical... Level Principal Technical Writer | $113,193 |
| Technical... Level Principal Technical Writer | $107,097 |
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 Principal 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:
For Principal 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, Principal Technical Writer positions in Healthcare or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Technical Writer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $91,507 | $44.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $87,695 | $42.0 | 15% |
| MFG Durable | $85,407 | $41.0 | 12% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $83,882 | $40.0 | 10% |
| Hospitality & Leisure | $82,357 | $40.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Principal 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 | $84,024 | $7,002 | $1,616 | $40 |
| Average | $76,256 | $6,355 | $1,466 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,245 | $5,604 | $1,293 | $32 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Technical Writer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Mediaocean
Chicago, IL
Mediaocean | Chicago, IL
An advertising technology company seeks a Technical Writer in Chicago to produce high-quality documentation that supports its software and tools.You will c... more
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DoiT
Chicago, IL
DoiT | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Location. Our Senior Technical Content Writer – Data Platforms will join our global Marketing team. This remote role is i... more
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Contact Government Services, LLC
Chicago, IL
Contact Government Services, LLC | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Senior Technical Writer. Employment Type: Full-Time, Experienced. Department: Technology Support. CGS is seeking an exper... more
2 Days Ago
Myticas Consulting
Chicago, IL
Myticas Consulting | Chicago, IL
Job Title :Technical Writer Location :100% Remote Duration :10Months Contract (Possible further extension)70% of work dedicated to Technical Writing 30 %- ... more
5 Days Ago
Aleysian
Chicago, IL
Aleysian | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. JOIN OUR TEAM. Salesforce Principal Technical Architect. Chicago, IL (Hybrid) - preferred. remote available in WI & MI ·... more
1 Day Ago
salesforce.com, inc.
Chicago, IL
salesforce.com, inc. | Chicago, IL
To get the best candidate experience, please consider applying for a maximum of 3 roles within 12 months to ensure you are not duplicating efforts. Job Cat... more
2 Days Ago
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