Technical writers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$91,670
~$44/hr · ~$7,639/mo
US Jobs
56K
Slower than average
AI & Automation Risk
9/10
Very High
AI & Automation Risk
Very High 9/10
Technical writing is a fully digital occupation centered on synthesizing complex information into clear documentation, a core strength of Large Language Models. AI can already draft manuals, summarize technical specs, and generate code documentation, significantly increasing individual productivity and reducing the total number of human writers needed for routine documentation tasks.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CABEST VALUE | $182,450 | Above avg (111.0) | $164,338 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $125,760 | Above avg (103.3) | $121,751 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $135,880 | Above avg (113.1) | $120,185 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $103,340 | Below avg (89.1) | $115,937 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,850 | Above avg (117.6) | $111,313 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $106,220 | Average (98.9) | $107,418 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $98,010 | Below avg (91.2) | $107,415 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $96,780 | Below avg (90.8) | $106,594 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $102,760 | Average (98.4) | $104,479 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $100,660 | Average (97.3) | $103,403 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $97,740 | Average (98.1) | $99,620 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $104,990 | Above avg (105.8) | $99,264 |
| Boulder, CO | $99,740 | Average (100.6) | $99,131 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $100,580 | Average (101.5) | $99,083 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $107,690 | Above avg (110.3) | $97,675 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
+1% (Slower than average)
Hourly Rate
~$44/hr
Monthly Income
~$7,639/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)