Technical Writers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $102,420 +11.7% vs national
Median hourly $49.24
10th percentile $59,640
90th percentile $147,590
Employed locally 570
National median $91,670

Compare Technical Writers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Technical Writers
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,640
    25th
    $82,240
    50th (median)
    $102,420
    75th
    $122,990
    90th
    $147,590

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Technical Writers salary vs area income 100% Median Technical Writers salary is 0% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Technical Writers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $182,450
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $135,880
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,850
    Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $125,760
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $109,480
    Connecticut $109,400

    Nearby metros — Technical Writers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $182,450
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $135,880
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,850
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $109,480
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $107,690
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $103,960

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $45,490
    Public Relations Specialists $77,290
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $40,290
    Producers and Directors $88,090
    Art Directors $112,400
    Editors $76,160

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Technical Writers make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Technical Writers in San Diego, CA is $49.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $75.79 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Technical Writers salaries?

    The median Technical Writers salary in San Diego, CA is 11.7% above the national median of $91,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Technical Writers in San Diego?

    Entry-level Technical Writers (10th percentile) earn around $59,640 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,240.