Technical Writers Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $99,220 +8.2% vs national
Median hourly $47.70
10th percentile $62,770
90th percentile $164,720
Employed locally 1,150
National median $91,670

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Technical Writers
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Seattle, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,770
    25th
    $79,960
    50th (median)
    $99,220
    75th
    $126,320
    90th
    $164,720

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Technical Writers salary vs area income 88% Median Technical Writers salary is 12% 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
    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
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $106,220
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $100,580
    Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area $98,130
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $97,810
    Washington $93,230
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $83,580

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts$48,010
    Public Relations Specialists$92,060
    Graphic Designers$82,630
    Special Effects Artists and Animators$142,690
    Editors$87,330
    Producers and Directors$81,030

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Technical Writers make per hour in Seattle?

    The median hourly wage for Technical Writers in Seattle, WA is $47.70, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $84.14 or more per hour.

    Is Seattle above or below average for Technical Writers salaries?

    The median Technical Writers salary in Seattle, WA is 8.2% 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Technical Writers (10th percentile) earn around $62,770 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,960.