How Much Does a Senior Technical Writer Make? (2025)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 4% growth in technical writer positions in the United States from 2023 to 2033. This figure exceeds the national average for every occupation and is associated with an estimated 4,100 yearly job opportunities for technical writers.
The average annual salary for senior technical writers in the United States in 2025 is $98,700, according to Salary.com. For senior technical writers, this salary guide offers a thorough examination of job descriptions, compensation, position requirements, and some frequently asked questions.
What Does a Senior Technical Writer Do?
Technical documentation and manuals are developed and disseminated by senior technical writers. They also coordinate the layout for publication and gather and analyze technical data or information. The Technical Writer Ill is responsible for moderately difficult aspects of a project and work is typically characterized by a combination of autonomy and collaboration.
Most technical writers are employed full-time. They frequently collaborate with engineers and other technological experts to oversee the passage of information across a company. While the majority of technical writers are directly employed by the organizations that utilize their services, a small number of them are freelancers who are compensated on a per-assignment basis. Below are the top industries they work for:
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
- Manufacturing
- Information
- Administrative and support services
- Government
What is the Senior Technical Writer Salary Overview?
As of April 8, 2025, Salary.com reports that the average yearly wage for senior technical writers in the United States in 2025 is $98,700. The annual salary of a senior technical writer is between $82,461 and $116,085. The average monthly salary is $8,225.
The hourly rate for senior technical writers ranges from $40 to $56, with an average of $47 per hour. Furthermore, the weekly salary for senior technical writers averages $1,898, with a salary range of $1,586 to $2,232.
2025 Senior Technical Writer Salary: $98,700 ($47 per hour)
Subsequently, the average core compensation for a senior technical writer is $102,300 per year, which comprises salary and bonuses, and is different bases on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $84,342 |
| 25th Percentile | $92,900 |
| 50th Percentile | $102,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,300 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,742 |
On the other hand, the average total compensation for senior technical writers in the US is $142,936, according to the Salary.com report. This includes an average additional cash compensation component, along with benefits such as time off ($12,591) and healthcare ($8,352), which together make up 14.6% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $98,700 | 69.1% |
| Bonus | $3,600 | 2.5% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $7,826 | 5.5% |
| 401K/403B | $4,297 | 3.0% |
| Disability | $2,046 | 1.4% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 5.8% |
| Pension | $5,524 | 3.9% |
| Time Off | $12,591 | 8.8% |
| Total Compensation | $142,936 | 100% |
What Can Affect Senior Technical Writer Salaries?
Senior technical writer salaries can be substantially influenced by a variety of factors, including education, geographic location, experience, and abilities. The following is a comprehensive breakdown of the primary salary components:
By Experience Level
Over time, senior technical writer salaries are expected to grow in line with professional experience and the scope of the job title. Salary.com data shows that entry-level senior technical writers with less than one year of experience earn an average salary of $93,484.
In contrast, experienced professionals holding the senior technical writer job title for eight or more years, considered expert level based on their professional experience, can expect to earn an average salary of $102,304.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Senior Technical Writer | $93,484 |
| Intermediate Level Senior Technical Writer | $94,103 |
| Senior Level Senior Technical Writer | $95,342 |
| Specialist Level Senior Technical Writer | $99,887 |
| Expert Level Senior Technical Writer | $102,304 |
By Geographic Location
A senior technical writer's average salary in the United States may vary by geographic location due to key factors like cost of living, the local economy, and industry presence. These differences often align with broader trends in average content salaries across regions.
The senior technical writer salary in San Francisco is the highest at $123,200, while the average salaries in Miami and Dallas are lesser at $94,800 and $97,400, respectively, among the hot cities in the United States.
| City | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $112,700 | $123,200 | $134,700 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $99,900 | $109,200 | $119,400 |
| Miami, Florida | $86,700 | $94,800 | $103,600 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $93,200 | $102,000 | $111,400 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $100,600 | $110,000 | $120,300 |
| New York, New York | $104,500 | $114,300 | $125,000 |
| Dallas, Texas | $89,100 | $97,400 | $106,500 |
By Skills
Gaining sought-after skills is also an effective way to increase senior technical writer salaries and unlock more career opportunities. The Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that the most in-demand senior technical writer skills are technical writing and presentation software with 35.10% and 9.54%, respectively.
Meanwhile, essential skills such as content strategy and content management can increase senior technical writer salaries by 6.41% and 6.37%, respectively. The table below includes more in-demand skills for senior technical writers and their respective influence on salary:
| Skills | Demand (%) | Salary (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Content Strategy | 7.72% | +6.41% |
| Content Management | 7.82% | +6.37% |
| Presentation Software | 9.54% | +6.28% |
| Content Management System | 7.82% | +6.07% |
| Copyediting | 7.82% | +6.01% |
| Marketing Communications | 7.92% | +6.00% |
| Proofreading | 8.02% | +5.94% |
| Technical Writing | 35.10% | +5.75% |
How to Become a Senior Technical Writer?
According to BLS, to qualify for the position as a technical writer, a bachelor's degree is typically required. Additionally, experience or knowledge of a technical discipline, such as engineering or science, is preferable. To pursue a career and earn more money as a senior technical writer, concentrate on developing the following key areas, such as the following:
- Acquire important core qualities: A senior technical writer typically requires necessary qualities such as critical thinking skills, technical skills, and writing skills. They must also be detail oriented, imaginative and great at teamwork.
- Earn licenses and certifications: Certification for technical writers is provided by certain organizations. Furthermore, the American Medical Writers Association provides a wide range of medical writing certificates and continuing education programs. Professionals in the medicinal and scientific communication sectors may obtain these certificates.
- Go through training: Several technical writers require brief on-the-job training to transition from a narrative to a descriptive writing style. In larger corporations, entry-level technical writers may observe experienced writers and collaborate with professionals prior to receiving projects to complete
- Expand work experience: Certain technical writers began their professions as specialists or research assistants inside a technical discipline. They ultimately cultivate technical communication competencies and take on major tasks for technical writing. In smaller companies, new technical writers may immediately engage in projects.
What are the FAQs About Senior Technical Writers?
Here are some common questions about the senior technical writer pay:
What does a senior technical writer do?
A senior technical writer is responsible for creating and managing technical documentation to effectively communicate complex information. Their duties include
- create technical documentation,
- collaborating with product designers and developers,
- simplifying product instructions,
- writing or revising content,
- ensuring the documentation team creates engaging and user-friendly materials
- selecting appropriate communication mediums,
- standardizing content across platforms, and
- collecting user feedback to improve documentation.
What is the highest salary for a senior technical writer?
The salary of a senior technical writer could vary in accordance with their geographic location, education, skills, and experience. For example, in San Francisco, California, a senior technical writer earns an average of $123,200. Conversely, a senior technical writer who is employed in the state of Washington receives an average salary of $109,200.
Are senior technical writers in demand?
Yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predict that the number of senior technical writer positions will increase by 4% between 2023 and 2033. It is anticipated that 4,100 employment openings will be created in the United States during this time.
How much does a senior technical writer make in the US?
Salary.com reports that the average annual salary for senior technical writers in the US is $98,700 or $47 per hour.
