Iowa Median
$66,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-26% vs US median
US median $90,390
State Rank
#41 of 45
640 employed here
How much does a Technical Writer make in Iowa?
Technical Writers in Iowa take home a median of $66,520 annually — roughly $31.98 an hour — which runs 26% below the national median of $90,390.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $52,750 while the top 10% make $98,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,660 and $83,760 a year.
Technical Writer salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,750 | $25.36 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,660 | $27.72 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $66,520 | $31.98 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $83,760 | $40.27 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,970 | $47.58 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 41st out of 45 states and territories for Technical Writer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Technical Writer salary in other states
New Jersey $122,320District of Columbia $117,810Massachusetts $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 $69,760Mississippi $65,220Louisiana $63,790South Dakota $63,350Arkansas $61,180
Working as a Technical Writer in Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($66,520) 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 Iowa?
The median Technical Writer salary in Iowa is $66,520 per year, or about $31.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,750 at the entry level to $98,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Technical Writers about 26% less than the national median of $90,390. Iowa ranks 41st out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Technical Writers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $66,520 a year. About 640 Technical Writers are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.