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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Scientific Technical Writer in Iowa is $72,137 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a Scientific Technical Writer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Scientific Technical Writer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $79,484 | $6,624 | $1,529 | $38 |
| Average | $72,137 | $6,011 | $1,387 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,612 | $5,301 | $1,223 | $31 |
TMS - Des Moines, IA
UniFirst - WILMINGTON, MA
FIBERTEK, INC. - OAK HILL, VA
Trust Palmdale Honda - PALMDALE, CA
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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Technical... Level Scientific Technical Writer | $60,514 |
| Scientifi... Level Scientific Technical Writer | $72,729 |
| Technical... Level Scientific Technical Writer | $91,300 |
| Technical... Level Scientific Technical Writer | $107,078 |
| Technical... Level Scientific Technical Writer | $101,311 |
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 Scientific 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 Scientific 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, Scientific Technical Writer positions in Healthcare or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Scientific Technical Writer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $86,564 | $42.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $82,957 | $40.0 | 15% |
| MFG Durable | $80,793 | $39.0 | 12% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $79,350 | $38.0 | 10% |
| Hospitality & Leisure | $77,907 | $37.0 | 8% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $79,484 | $6,624 | $1,529 | $38 |
| Average | $72,137 | $6,011 | $1,387 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,612 | $5,301 | $1,223 | $31 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Scientific Technical Writer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
IRVINE, CA
Canon U.S.A., Inc. | IRVINE, CA
Technical Trainer US-CA-Irvine Job ID: 34566 Type: Full-Time of Openings: 1 Category: Product Support CUSA Western Regional Office About the Role Technical... more
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Sherwin Williams
KENILWORTH, NJ
Sherwin Williams | KENILWORTH, NJ
Sherwin-Williams is seeking a Technical Services Representative to support customers in our manufacturing segment. In this role, you’ll provide expert prod... more
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ManTech International
CHANTILLY, VA
ManTech International | CHANTILLY, VA
ManTech International seeks a Manager Technical Projects to lead complex technical initiatives supporting U.S. defense and federal missions. In this role, ... more
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Vantor
WESTMINSTER, CO
Vantor | WESTMINSTER, CO
Vantor is seeking a Technical Program Manager for Ground Systems to lead complex software and data initiatives from discovery through delivery. You’ll own ... more
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Amazon
TIMES SQUARE, WA
Amazon | TIMES SQUARE, WA
Amazon is seeking a Principal Product Manager, Technical to lead high-impact retail initiatives at global scale. In this role, you’ll own the vision, roadm... more
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ManTech International
TRIANGLE, VA
ManTech International | TRIANGLE, VA
ManTech International seeks a Technical Project Manager to lead complex IT and engineering projects supporting critical U.S. defense and intelligence missi... more
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