Technical Writer salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Technical Writers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $99,910 a year ($48.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,660 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $90,390. Pay here is 15% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $117,810. There are 0.76 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,790 | $34.99 |
| 25th percentile | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Median | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| 75th percentile | $127,520 | $61.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,660 | $71.47 |
| Average (mean) | $106,290 | $51.10 |
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 | $8,325.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,162.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,842.69 |
| Weekly | $1,921.35 |
| Hourly | $48.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $99,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $102,140 | 820 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $97,810 | 80 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $93,530 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $92,330 | 710 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $79,340 | 350 |
| Richmond, VA | $79,200 | 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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,680 | $48.88 |
| Editor | $84,800 | $40.77 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| Writers and Authors | $108,460 | $52.14 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $94,510 | $45.44 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $75,710 | $36.40 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $59,070 | $28.40 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $51,880 | $24.94 |
| Graphic Designer | $85,420 | $41.07 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,680 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Interior Designer | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,320 | $21.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for technical writers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $99,910 a year, or $48.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of technical writers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $148,660 a year. The top 25% earn $127,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,790 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $80,600 or less.
How many technical writers work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 2,370 technical writers are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.