How much does a technical writer make in Chicago?
$89,960a year
Median yearly pay for technical writers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $43.25 an hour or $7,497 a month.
- Hourly
- $43.25
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 44 of 136
- Jobs in the area
- 790
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $59,960Median: $89,960Highest 10%: $135,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,960 | $28.83 | |
| 25th | $73,150 | $35.17 | |
| Median | $89,960 | $43.25 | |
| 75th | $108,900 | $52.35 | |
| 90th | $135,800 | $65.27 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for technical writers.
| St. Louis, MO | $80,840 |
| Davenport, IA | $77,170 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $113,000 |
| Musician and Singer | $110,600 |
| Art Director | $104,600 |
| Camera Operator | $102,400 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 |
| Media and Communication Worker | $89,620 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $85,400 |
| Producer and Director | $85,040 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $83,200 |
| Editor | $80,380 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical writer make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $43.25 ($89,960 a year).
Do technical writers make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $89,960 against $90,390 nationally, 0% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $88,700, so Chicago pays 1% more.
Where does Chicago rank for technical writer pay?
44 of 136 metro areas with data.
How much does a technical writer make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $59,960 or less a year; the top 10% make $135,800 or more.
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.