How much does a technical writer make in Des Moines?
$69,450a year
Median yearly pay for technical writers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $33.39 an hour or $5,788 a month.
- Hourly
- $33.39
- Vs. national median
- -23%
- Rank among cities
- 120 of 136
- Jobs in the area
- 200
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $55,850Median: $69,450Highest 10%: $99,830
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,850 | $26.85 | |
| 25th | $63,060 | $30.32 | |
| Median | $69,450 | $33.39 | |
| 75th | $83,760 | $40.27 | |
| 90th | $99,830 | $48.00 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for technical writers.
| Davenport, IA | $77,170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $69,410 |
| Dubuque, IA | $57,400 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Art Director | $90,000 |
| Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner | $82,040 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $77,570 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,660 |
| Editor | $63,720 |
| Writer and Author | $63,010 |
| Producer and Director | $62,370 |
| Music Director and Composer | $61,740 |
| Interior Designer | $57,840 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,520 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical writer make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $33.39 ($69,450 a year).
Do technical writers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $69,450 against $90,390 nationally, 23% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $66,520, so Des Moines pays 4% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for technical writer pay?
120 of 136 metro areas with data.
How much does a technical writer make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $55,850 or less a year; the top 10% make $99,830 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.