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Technical Writers Salary in California
Ranked #1 of 45 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of technical writerss in California earn between $69,630 and $175,510. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean technical writers salary in California is $117,060, about 20.7% above the U.S. average ($96,970). That works out to roughly $56/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $140,700 | $139,970 | 920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $135,470 | $137,560 | 1,020 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $129,590 | $127,330 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $104,450 | $111,700 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,000 | $103,080 | 1,460 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $101,750 | $109,020 | 520 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $98,800 | $102,480 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $94,400 | $103,570 | 190 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do technical writers make in California?
The median technical writers salary in California is $104,000 per year (mean $117,060), and about 80% earn between $69,630 and $175,510.
How much do technical writers make per hour in California?
Roughly $56 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $117,060 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for technical writers?
California ranks #1 of 45 states for technical writers pay. Its mean salary of $117,060 is about 20.7% above the U.S. average of $96,970.
Which metro areas in California pay technical writers the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for technical writers are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,700), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($135,470), Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA ($129,590), by median annual wage.