Technical Writer salary in Iowa
In Iowa, a typical technical writer earned $66,520 a year in May 2025 (median), with an average of $72,130. About 640 people work in this occupation there.
That is 26% below the national median of $90,390. Compared with all occupations in Iowa (median $48,540), technical writers earn 37% more. With a location quotient of 1.40, the occupation is more concentrated here than in the US as a whole.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $52,750, while the top 10% earned more than $98,970. Many technical writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| 25th | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Median | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| 75th | $83,760 | $40.27 |
| 90th | $98,970 | $47.58 |
Metro areas in Iowa
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,170 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $69,450 | 200 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $69,410 | 80 |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $65,990 | 80 |
| Dubuque, IA | $57,400 | 70 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.