Technical Writers pay in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont
In San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA), the median pay for technical writers is $65.13 an hour ($135,470 a year). About 1,020 people work in this job there.
That is 50% higher than the U.S. median ($90,390). It is 30% higher than the California median ($104,000).
Pay range for technical writers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $37.89 | $78,810 |
| 25% of workers | $45.15 | $93,920 |
| Half of workers (median) | $65.13 | $135,470 |
| 75% of workers | $81.51 | $169,550 |
| 90% of workers | $99.69 | $207,360 |
Technical Writers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $140,700 | 920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (this page) | $135,470 | 1,020 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $129,590 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $104,450 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $104,000 | 1,460 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $101,750 | 520 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $98,800 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $94,400 | 190 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $85,500 | 140 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $76,170 | 40 |
| Fresno | $76,030 | 60 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for technical writers
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.8% over ten years, little or no change · about 3,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Management Analysts | $126,730 |
| Project Management Specialists | $135,040 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $161,700 |
| Data Scientists | $170,110 |
| Industrial Engineers | $132,230 |
| Editors | $102,940 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $102,520 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $89,050 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.