How much does a technical writer make in Portland?
$81,540a year
Median yearly pay for technical writers in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area. That is $39.20 an hour or $6,795 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.20
- Vs. national median
- -10%
- Rank among cities
- 80 of 136
- Jobs in the area
- 460
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $58,990Median: $81,540Highest 10%: $143,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,990 | $28.36 | |
| 25th | $70,640 | $33.96 | |
| Median | $81,540 | $39.20 | |
| 75th | $119,900 | $57.66 | |
| 90th | $143,000 | $68.75 |
Other cities in Oregon
Median yearly pay for technical writers.
| Salem, OR | $84,000 |
Related jobs in Portland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Art Director | $145,400 |
| Fine Artist | $98,540 |
| Producer and Director | $88,450 |
| Writer and Author | $87,560 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $81,450 |
| Artist and Related Worker | $80,640 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $78,380 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $76,050 |
| Graphic Designer | $75,650 |
| Editor | $75,430 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical writer make an hour in Portland?
The median hourly pay in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $39.20 ($81,540 a year).
Do technical writers make more in Portland than the national average?
No: $81,540 against $90,390 nationally, 10% less.
How does Portland compare with the rest of Oregon?
The median in Oregon is $84,000, so Portland pays 3% less.
Where does Portland rank for technical writer pay?
80 of 136 metro areas with data.
How much does a technical writer make starting out in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $58,990 or less a year; the top 10% make $143,000 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.