Technical Writer Salary in Washington (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Technical Writers in Washington, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$104,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+15% vs US median
US median $90,390
State Rank
#4 of 45
1,620 employed here

How much does a Technical Writer make in Washington?

A Technical Writer working in Washington earns a median salary of $104,070 per year, or about $50.03 per hour. That is 15% above the national median of $90,390 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $60,420 while the top 10% make $169,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,680 and $131,940 a year.

Technical Writer salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$60,420$29.05
25th percentile (early career)$78,680$37.83
50th percentile (median)$104,070$50.03
75th percentile (experienced)$131,940$63.43
90th percentile (top earners)$169,810$81.64

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 4th out of 45 states and territories for Technical Writer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Jersey$122,320
2District of Columbia$117,810
3Massachusetts$109,200
4Washington$104,070
5California$104,000

Working as a Technical Writer in Washington

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 Washington pay ($104,070) 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 Washington?
The median Technical Writer salary in Washington is $104,070 per year, or about $50.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,420 at the entry level to $169,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Technical Writers about 15% more than the national median of $90,390. Washington ranks 4th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Technical Writers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $104,070 a year. About 1,620 Technical Writers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.