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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Scientific Technical Writer in Illinois is $76,833 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
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 | $84,659 | $7,055 | $1,628 | $41 |
| Average | $76,833 | $6,403 | $1,478 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,753 | $5,646 | $1,303 | $33 |
Sterling Engineering Inc. - La Grange, IL
TradeJobsWorkForce - Cypress, IL
TradeJobsWorkForce - El Paso, IL
TradeJobsWorkForce - Riverside, IL
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 | $64,453 |
| Scientifi... Level Scientific Technical Writer | $77,463 |
| Technical... Level Scientific Technical Writer | $97,243 |
| Technical... Level Scientific Technical Writer | $114,048 |
| Technical... Level Scientific Technical Writer | $107,907 |
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 | $92,199 | $44.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $88,357 | $42.0 | 15% |
| MFG Durable | $86,053 | $41.0 | 12% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $84,516 | $41.0 | 10% |
| Hospitality & Leisure | $82,979 | $40.0 | 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 | $84,659 | $7,055 | $1,628 | $41 |
| Average | $76,833 | $6,403 | $1,478 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,753 | $5,646 | $1,303 | $33 |
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.
TradeJobsWorkForce
Rochester, IL
TradeJobsWorkForce | Rochester, IL
Research, write, edit and proofread complex technical data. Create, maintain and update manuals, procedures, specifications and other documents. Create, ma... more
11 Days Ago
Jobsultant Solutions
Vernon Hills, IL
Jobsultant Solutions | Vernon Hills, IL
About the job Technical Writer (Remote)About The Role Weve built a curious, driven, passionate teams of people that together define how well achieve our vi... more
11 Days Ago
ExecutivePlacements.com - The JOB Portal
Elgin, IL
ExecutivePlacements.com - The JOB Portal | Elgin, IL
OverviewTechnical Writer (Remote) at ExecutivePlacements.com - The JOB Portal.About The JobTechnical Writer (Remote)About The RoleWe've built curious, driv... more
11 Days Ago
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
11 Days Ago
Ware Malcomb
Oak Brook, IL
Ware Malcomb | Oak Brook, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Are you ready to join a growth-oriented team where creativity meets innovation. At Ware Malcomb, we are a dynamic and for... more
8 Days Ago
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
11 Days Ago
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