Technical Writers Salary in Illinois
In Illinois, technical writers earn $79,690 at the median — $38.31 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $124K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $80K get you in Illinois?
About technical writers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level technical writers (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $124K or more, a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Technical Writers salary by metro in Illinois
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $80K | +1% | 920 |
| Peoria | $80K | +0% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track technical writers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do technical writers make in Illinois?
The median is $79,690 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,320, and experienced technical writers can clear $124,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,042/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 27.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a technical writers salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median technical writers salary is worth about $84,912 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do technical writers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.