Technical Writer salary in Washington
The median annual wage for technical writers in Washington was $104,070 in May 2025, with an average of $109,840. About 1,620 people work in this occupation there.
That is 15% above the national median of $90,390. Compared with all occupations in Washington (median $62,990), technical writers earn 65% more. With a location quotient of 1.56, the occupation is more concentrated here than in the US as a whole.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $60,420, while the top 10% earned more than $169,810. Many technical writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| 25th | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Median | $104,070 | $50.03 |
| 75th | $131,940 | $63.43 |
| 90th | $169,810 | $81.64 |
Metro areas in Washington
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $119,160 | 80 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $107,580 | 1,220 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $85,050 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $84,300 | 70 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.