District of Columbia Median
$117,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$56.64
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+30% vs US median
US median $90,390
State Rank
#2 of 45
440 employed here
How much does a Technical Writer make in District of Columbia?
Technical Writers in District of Columbia take home a median of $117,810 annually — roughly $56.64 an hour — which runs 30% above the national median of $90,390.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $74,720 while the top 10% make $148,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $84,990 and $128,610 a year.
Technical Writer salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,720 | $35.92 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $84,990 | $40.86 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $117,810 | $56.64 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $128,610 | $61.83 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,770 | $71.52 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 45 states and territories for Technical Writer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Technical Writer salary in other states
New Jersey $122,320Massachusetts $109,200Washington $104,070California $104,000Rhode Island $102,360Connecticut $101,870Maryland $100,990Colorado $100,610New York $98,310New Hampshire $96,300New Mexico $94,970Virginia $93,600Delaware $90,370Nevada $88,750Illinois $88,700Vermont $87,860Pennsylvania $87,620North Carolina $86,320Florida $86,240Alabama $85,840Michigan $85,270Oregon $84,000Minnesota $83,270Alaska $83,200Texas $82,750South Carolina $82,540Kentucky $81,070Missouri $80,840Utah $80,270Wisconsin $80,030Arizona $79,780Tennessee $79,550Ohio $76,480Indiana $75,510Montana $75,070Kansas $73,550Georgia $73,070North Dakota $72,990Oklahoma $69,760Iowa $66,520Mississippi $65,220Louisiana $63,790South Dakota $63,350Arkansas $61,180
Working as a Technical Writer in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 46,000 people work as Technical Writers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($117,810) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Technical Writer make in District of Columbia?
The median Technical Writer salary in District of Columbia is $117,810 per year, or about $56.64 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $74,720 at the entry level to $148,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Technical Writers about 30% more than the national median of $90,390. District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Technical Writers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $117,810 a year. About 440 Technical Writers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Technical Writer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.