Technical Writer salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Technical Writers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $107,580 a year ($51.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,010 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 3% higher than the Washington statewide median of $104,070. There are 0.58 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $114,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| 25th percentile | $81,950 | $39.40 |
| Median | $107,580 | $51.72 |
| 75th percentile | $142,130 | $68.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,010 | $84.14 |
| Average (mean) | $114,910 | $55.25 |
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 | $8,965 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,482.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,137.69 |
| Weekly | $2,068.85 |
| Hourly | $51.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $107,580 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $119,160 | 80 |
| 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $96,000 | $46.16 |
| Editor | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $65,800 | $31.63 |
| Writers and Authors | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $113,200 | $54.42 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,640 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Producers and Directors | $86,680 | $41.68 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $134,120 | $64.48 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for technical writers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $107,580 a year, or $51.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $175,010 a year. The top 25% earn $142,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,900 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $81,950 or less.
How many technical writers work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 1,220 technical writers are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.