How much does a technical writer make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for technical writers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $48.03 an hour or $8,326 a month.
- Hourly
- $48.03
- Vs. national median
- +11%
- Rank among cities
- 22 of 136
- Jobs in the area
- 2,370
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $72,790 | $35.00 | |
| 25th | $80,600 | $38.75 | |
| Median | $99,910 | $48.03 | |
| 75th | $127,500 | $61.31 | |
| 90th | $148,700 | $71.47 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for technical writers.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Musician and Singer | $133,600 |
| Artist and Related Worker | $125,100 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $121,700 |
| Writer and Author | $108,500 |
| Art Director | $106,000 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,700 |
| News Analyst | $101,000 |
| Producer and Director | $100,300 |
| Interpreter and Translator | $94,510 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $92,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical writer make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $48.03 ($99,910 a year).
Do technical writers make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $99,910 against $90,390 nationally, 11% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $117,800, so Washington pays 15% less.
Where does Washington rank for technical writer pay?
22 of 136 metro areas with data.
How much does a technical writer make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $72,790 or less a year; the top 10% make $148,700 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.