How much does a technical writer make in San Francisco?
$135,500a year
Median yearly pay for technical writers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $65.13 an hour or $11,290 a month.
- Hourly
- $65.13
- Vs. national median
- +50%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 136
- Jobs in the area
- 1,020
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $78,810Median: $135,500Highest 10%: $207,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $78,810 | $37.89 | |
| 25th | $93,920 | $45.15 | |
| Median | $135,500 | $65.13 | |
| 75th | $169,600 | $81.51 | |
| 90th | $207,400 | $99.69 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for technical writers.
| San Jose, CA | $140,700 |
| 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 |
| Fresno, CA | $76,030 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Art Director | $165,200 |
| Musician and Singer | $157,600 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $136,800 |
| Producer and Director | $130,600 |
| Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner | $129,300 |
| Fine Artist | $126,500 |
| Music Director and Composer | $113,000 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $110,800 |
| Film and Video Editor | $109,900 |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $109,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical writer make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $65.13 ($135,500 a year).
Do technical writers make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $135,500 against $90,390 nationally, 50% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $104,000, so San Francisco pays 30% more.
Where does San Francisco rank for technical writer pay?
2 of 136 metro areas with data.
How much does a technical writer make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $78,810 or less a year; the top 10% make $207,400 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.