Technical Writer salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA
Technical Writers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn a median of $119,160 a year ($57.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,100 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 14% higher than the Washington statewide median of $104,070. There are 0.60 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $110,000, close to the median.
Pay range for technical writers in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,030 | $32.23 |
| 25th percentile | $78,560 | $37.77 |
| Median | $119,160 | $57.29 |
| 75th percentile | $129,210 | $62.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,100 | $67.84 |
| Average (mean) | $110,000 | $52.88 |
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 | $9,930 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,965 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,583.08 |
| Weekly | $2,291.54 |
| Hourly | $57.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $119,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $107,580 | 1,220 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $85,050 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $84,300 | 70 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $81,540 | 460 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $103,030 | $49.54 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,850 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $74,520 | $35.83 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Floral Designer | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Photographer | $38,010 | $18.28 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kennewick-Richland, WA
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 Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The median salary for technical writers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area is $119,160 a year, or $57.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn at least $141,100 a year. The top 25% earn $129,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,030 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $78,560 or less.
How many technical writers work in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
About 80 technical writers are employed in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.