Technical Writers Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $130,850 +42.7% vs national
Median hourly $62.91
10th percentile $72,220
90th percentile $189,450
Employed locally 1,240
National median $91,670

Compare Technical Writers salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Technical Writers
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $72,220
    25th
    $96,760
    50th (median)
    $130,850
    75th
    $167,770
    90th
    $189,450

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Technical Writers salary vs area income 98% Median Technical Writers salary is 2% below 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
    Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $125,760
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $109,480
    Connecticut $109,400
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $107,690

    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
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $109,480
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $107,690
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $103,960
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $102,760

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $98,460
    Coaches and Scouts $47,260
    Producers and Directors $122,210
    Graphic Designers $89,490
    Media and Communication Workers, All Other $99,420
    Editors $99,720

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Technical Writers in San Francisco, CA is $62.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $99.69 or more per hour.

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

    The median Technical Writers salary in San Francisco, CA is 42.7% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Technical Writers (10th percentile) earn around $72,220 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $96,760.