Technical Writer salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A technical writer earns a median of $90,390 a year ($43.46 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $96,970. About 45,500 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $90,390
- Gross pay
- $3,476.54
- Federal income tax
- −$425.22
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$215.55
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$50.41
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $2,785.36
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $90,390
- Federal
- $11,056
- FICA
- $6,915
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $72,419
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Producer and Director: $90,360
- Commercial and Industrial Designer: $83,910
- Fashion Designer: $80,960
- Special Effects Artist and Animator: $102,030
- Editor: $77,920
- Writer and Author: $76,910
- Film and Video Editor: $75,420
- Set and Exhibit Designer: $75,240
BLS occupation: Technical Writers. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 27-3042). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical writer make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $43.46; the average is $46.62.
What is the salary range for a technical writer?
The bottom 10% earn under $57,440 and the top 10% earn over $145,270 a year.
How much is $90,390 after taxes?
About $72,419 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $67,083 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.