How much does a technical writer make in California?
$104,000a year
Median yearly pay for technical writers in California. That is $50.00 an hour or $8,667 a month.
- Hourly
- $50.00
- Vs. national median
- +15%
- Rank among states
- 5 of 45
- Jobs in the state
- 5,280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $69,630Median: $104,000Highest 10%: $175,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $69,630 | $33.48 | |
| 25th | $84,250 | $40.50 | |
| Median | $104,000 | $50.00 | |
| 75th | $141,300 | $67.92 | |
| 90th | $175,500 | $84.38 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $140,700 |
| San Francisco, CA | $135,500 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $129,600 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $104,500 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $104,000 |
| San Diego, CA | $101,800 |
| Oxnard, CA | $98,800 |
| Sacramento, CA | $94,400 |
| Riverside, CA | $85,500 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $76,170 |
| Fresno, CA | $76,030 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for technical writers.
| 2. District of Columbia | $117,800 |
| 3. Massachusetts | $109,200 |
| 4. Washington | $104,100 |
| 5. California | $104,000 |
| 6. Rhode Island | $102,400 |
| 7. Connecticut | $101,900 |
| 8. Maryland | $101,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical writer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $50.00 ($104,000 a year).
Do technical writers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $104,000 against $90,390 nationally, 15% more.
Where does California rank for technical writer pay?
California ranks 5 of 45 states.
Which city in California pays technical writers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $140,700 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.