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Technical Writer IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Technical Writer IV make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Technical Writer IV in the United States is $113,357 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

However, a Technical Writer IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $123,416
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $104,896 to $118,622
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,193
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View as table View as graph 25% $104,896 10% $97,193 90% $123,416 75% $118,622 $113,357 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Technical Writer IV Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $118,622 $9,885 $2,281 $57
Average $113,357 $9,446 $2,180 $54
25th Percentile $104,896 $8,741 $2,017 $50
Check out Technical Writer IV Job Openings in the United States
Sr Technical Writer

Battelle Memorial Institute - Columbus, OH

SR TECHNICAL WRITER

Battelle Memorial Institute - Columbus, OH

Technical Writer

Zobility - Raymond, OH

Technical Writer

MBS Professional Staffing - Mason, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Technical Writer IV Salaries

A Technical Writer IV's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Technical Writer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Technical Writer IV's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Technical Writer II (2-4 years): $77,042
  • Technical Writer III (4-7 years): $96,730
  • Technical Writer IV (7+ years): $113,357
  • Technical Writing Supervisor (7+ years): $107,256
  • Technical Writing Manager (7+ years): $122,306
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Technical Writer II2-4 years$77,042
Technical Writer III4-7 years$96,730
Technical Writer IV7+ years$113,357
Technical Writing Supervisor7+ years$107,256
Technical Writing Manager7+ years$122,306
$77,042 Technical...
$96,730 Technical...
$113,357 Technical...
$107,256 Technical...
$122,306 Technical...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Technical Writer IVs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $142,977
  • San Francisco: $141,572
  • Oakland: $138,432

What Skills Can Increase a Technical Writer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 3.62% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Adobe (Mentioned in 2.24% Job Postings): A mixture of wet earth and grass made into bricks and dried in the sun, used to build houses. It originated from the oral form of Arabic al-tob, meaning "brick," It is the first materials used to create buildings in the 8th century B.C
  • HTML (Mentioned in 1.45% Job Postings): A computer language that used in creating, updating and maintaining text, graphics and links in a website.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 3.62%
Adobe 2.24%
HTML 1.45%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Technical Writer IV's salary.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Technical Writing: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 1%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership
$115,624
2%
Technical Writing
$115,624
2%
Problem Solving
$114,491
1%
Microsoft Word
$114,491
1%
Oral Communication
$114,491
1%
Consulting
$114,491
1%
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How Education impacts a Technical Writer IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Technical Writer IVs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Technical Writer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $112,999 and $118,501).

Technical Writer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Technical Writer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 3.5%
Associates 5.6%
Bachelors 51.7%
Masters 35.1%
Doctorate 3.8%
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Technical Writer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Technical Writer IV's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 18, 2021

Technical Writer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Technical Writer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Technical Writing Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $107,256 - a projected growth of -5% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Technical Writer IV

Salaries for a Technical Writer IV can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $108,789 in 2023 to around $108,937 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Technical Writer IV salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Technical Writer IV Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$108,789
2024
$109,235
2025
$108,937
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $108,789
2024 $109,235
2025 $108,937
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Technical Writer IV

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Technical Writer IV

Here are companies hiring for Technical Writer IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Technical Writer IV

1. Where can a Technical Writer IV earn the most?

A Technical Writer IV's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Technical Writer IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Technical Writer IV is $142,977.

2. What is the highest pay for Technical Writer IV?

The highest pay for Technical Writer IV is $123,416.

3. What is the lowest pay for Technical Writer IV?

The lowest pay for Technical Writer IV is $97,193.

4. What are the responsibilities of Technical Writer IV?

Creates and publishes technical documentations and manuals. Collects and interprets technical data or information and coordinates layout for publication. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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