Scientific Technical Writer Salary in the United States

How much does a Scientific Technical Writer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Scientific Technical Writer in the United States is $75,371 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,016
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,468 to $83,037
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,362
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View as table View as graph 25% $66,468 10% $58,362 90% $90,016 75% $83,037 $75,371 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Scientific Technical Writer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $83,037 $6,920 $1,597 $40
Average $75,371 $6,281 $1,449 $36
25th Percentile $66,468 $5,539 $1,278 $32
Check out Scientific Technical Writer Job Openings in the United States
Technical Writer

PlanIT Group LLC - FORT WORTH, TX

Technical Writer

Systems Definition Inc - NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY, DC

Technical Writer

Cyberstrike Group - POINT MUGU NAWC, CA

Sr Technical Writer

Culmen International, LLC - SAINT LOUIS, MO

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Key Factors That Influence Scientific Technical Writer Salaries

A Scientific 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 Scientific Technical Writer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Scientific 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-Level (less than 1 year): $73,269
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,516
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $76,597
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $79,999
  • Expert (over 8 years): $80,242
Levels Salary
Entry Level Scientific Technical Writer$73,269
Intermediate Level Scientific Technical Writer$73,516
Senior Level Scientific Technical Writer$76,597
Specialist Level Scientific Technical Writer$79,999
Expert Level Scientific Technical Writer$80,242
$73,269 0 yr
$73,516 < 2 yrs
$76,597 2-4 yrs
$79,999 5-8 yrs
$80,242 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Scientific 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: $95,066
  • San Francisco: $94,131
  • Oakland: $92,043

What Skills Can Increase a Scientific 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.
See More Skills
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 a Scientific 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
$78,386
4%
API
$78,386
4%
Leadership
$77,632
3%
Innovation
$76,879
2%
Project Management
$76,879
2%
Analysis
$76,125
1%
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How Education impacts a Scientific Technical Writer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Scientific 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 a Scientific Technical Writer with a Associate's Degree is between $74,778 and $78,819).

Scientific Technical Writer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Scientific 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%
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Scientific Technical Writer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Scientific 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, 2026

Salary Trends for Scientific Technical Writer

Salaries for a Scientific Technical Writer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $66,907 in 2023 to around $66,133 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Scientific Technical Writer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Scientific Technical Writer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$66,907
2024
$66,373
2025
$66,133
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $66,907
2024 $66,373
2025 $66,133
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Scientific Technical Writer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Scientific Technical Writer

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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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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