Technical Writer salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Technical Writers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median of $135,470 a year ($65.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,360 for the top 10%. That is 50% higher than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 30% higher than the California statewide median of $104,000. There are 0.43 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $137,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| 25th percentile | $93,920 | $45.15 |
| Median | $135,470 | $65.13 |
| 75th percentile | $169,550 | $81.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $207,360 | $99.69 |
| Average (mean) | $137,560 | $66.13 |
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 | $11,289.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,644.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,210.38 |
| Weekly | $2,605.19 |
| Hourly | $65.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $135,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $140,700 | 920 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $129,590 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $104,450 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,000 | 1,460 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $101,750 | 520 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $98,800 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $94,400 | 190 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $85,500 | 140 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $76,170 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $76,030 | 60 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Editor | $102,940 | $49.49 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $89,050 | $42.81 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $83,680 | $40.23 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $88,030 | $42.32 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $129,270 | $62.15 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $54,770 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $130,640 | $62.81 |
| Graphic Designer | $92,050 | $44.25 |
| Art Director | $165,210 | $79.43 |
| Interior Designer | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $136,770 | $65.76 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $75,540 | $36.32 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $55,960 | $26.91 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median salary for technical writers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $135,470 a year, or $65.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The top 10% of technical writers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn at least $207,360 a year. The top 25% earn $169,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,810 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $93,920 or less.
How many technical writers work in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
About 1,020 technical writers are employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.