Technical Writer salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Technical Writers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $88,610 a year ($42.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,540 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 7% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $82,540. There are 0.38 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,300 | $31.87 |
| 25th percentile | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Median | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| 75th percentile | $106,680 | $51.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,540 | $62.28 |
| Average (mean) | $93,210 | $44.81 |
Half of technical writers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,384.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,692.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,408.08 |
| Weekly | $1,704.04 |
| Hourly | $42.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $88,610 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Technical Writer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $103,730 | 160 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,610 | 560 |
| Columbia, SC | $77,640 | 90 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $67,910 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for technical writers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $122,320 |
| District of Columbia | $117,810 |
| Massachusetts | $109,200 |
| Washington | $104,070 |
| California | $104,000 |
| Rhode Island | $102,360 |
| Connecticut | $101,870 |
| Maryland | $100,990 |
| Colorado | $100,610 |
| New York | $98,310 |
See Technical Writer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Writers and Authors | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| Editor | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,550 | $31.03 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,320 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Graphic Designer | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Interior Designer | $72,400 | $34.81 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $13.11 |
| Art Director | $87,610 | $42.12 |
| Floral Designer | $37,900 | $18.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical writer make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for technical writers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $88,610 a year, or $42.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $129,540 a year. The top 25% earn $106,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,300 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $76,400 or less.
How many technical writers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 150 technical writers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.