Technical Writer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
The median annual wage for technical writers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA was $69,450 in May 2025, with an average of $75,770. About 200 people work in this occupation there.
That is 23% below the national median of $90,390. Compared with all occupations in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA (median $51,820), technical writers earn 34% more. With a location quotient of 1.73, the occupation is more concentrated here than in the US as a whole.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $55,850, while the top 10% earned more than $99,830. Many technical writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,850 | $26.85 |
| 25th | $63,060 | $30.32 |
| Median | $69,450 | $33.39 |
| 75th | $83,760 | $40.27 |
| 90th | $99,830 | $48.00 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.