Technical Writer salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Technical Writers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $140,700 a year ($67.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 920 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,860 for the top 10%. That is 56% higher than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 35% higher than the California statewide median of $104,000. There are 0.81 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $139,970, close to the median.
Pay range for technical writers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,310 | $36.21 |
| 25th percentile | $87,350 | $42.00 |
| Median | $140,700 | $67.65 |
| 75th percentile | $172,740 | $83.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $211,860 | $101.86 |
| Average (mean) | $139,970 | $67.29 |
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 | $11,725 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,862.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,411.54 |
| Weekly | $2,705.77 |
| Hourly | $67.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $140,700 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $135,470 | 1,020 |
| 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $117,620 | $56.55 |
| Editor | $117,580 | $56.53 |
| Writers and Authors | $118,810 | $57.12 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $101,530 | $48.81 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $76,450 | $36.76 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $143,170 | $68.83 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $57,250 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Art Director | $170,140 | $81.80 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $54,530 | $26.22 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $156,950 | $75.46 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $141,310 | $67.94 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $73,100 | $35.15 |
| Interior Designer | $85,140 | $40.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for technical writers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $140,700 a year, or $67.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of technical writers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $211,860 a year. The top 25% earn $172,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,310 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $87,350 or less.
How many technical writers work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 920 technical writers are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.