Money · 1 of 5

What technical writers make

Typical

$90,390

Starting out

$57,440

Senior, top tenth

$145,270

The national median is $90,390 a year, and the bottom tenth start near $57,440. That median is high for a writing job, and it is the main reason people move into this field from journalism or English. Software and medical device work sits at the top of the range, manufacturing manuals nearer the bottom.