Technical Writers Salary in California
Technical Writers in California earn a median annual wage of $104,000 —15.1% above the national median of $90,390. That ranks CA #5 of 45 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.99×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for technical writers
All 45 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $122,320 | $58.81 | 1,550 | 1.24 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $117,810 | $56.64 | 440 | 2.15 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $109,200 | $52.50 | 1,850 | 1.74 |
| 4 | Washington | $104,070 | $50.03 | 1,620 | 1.56 |
| 5 | California | $104,000 | $50.00 | 5,280 | 0.99 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $102,360 | $49.21 | 150 | 1.04 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $101,870 | $48.98 | 770 | 1.54 |
| 8 | Maryland | $100,990 | $48.55 | 1,780 | 2.20 |
| 9 | Colorado | $100,610 | $48.37 | 1,320 | 1.57 |
| 10 | New York | $98,310 | $47.26 | 1,610 | 0.57 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialists | $85,030 | $74,750 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | $47,320 |
| Graphic Designers | $75,130 | $62,960 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $39,390 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $90,360 |
| Editors | $98,030 | $77,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do technical writers make in California?
The median annual wage for technical writers in California is $104,000, or $50.00 per hour. That is 15.1% above the national median of $90,390.
What is the entry-level technical writers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $69,630 per year ($33.48/hour). The 25th percentile is $84,250.
How many people work as technical writers in California?
About 5,280 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.3 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for technical writers?
California ranks #5 of 45 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.99x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays technical writers the most?
New Jersey has the highest median wage at $122,320 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($117,810) and Massachusetts ($109,200).