Technical Writers Salary
In Montana, technical writers earn $75,070 at the median, or about $36.09 an hour. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $89K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $77,392 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,129/month, or 22.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Montana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $75K get you in Montana?
About technical writers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Montana
Pay for technical writers in Montana runs about 17% below the U.S. median of $90K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,129/month, 23.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Lower pay, lower costs, Montana can be a reasonable trade-off for technical writerss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Montana
Entry-level technical writers (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K. Top earners bring in $89K or more, a $24K spread from bottom to top.
Technical Writers salary by metro in Montana
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $75K | +0% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track technical writers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
Can a technical writer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
Yes — at the median salary of $75K, rent takes 23.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for technical writers in Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new technical writers typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,938/month. At HUD’s $1,129/month FMR, rent would take 29% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is technical writer a high-paying job in Montana?
Local pay runs 17% below the national median — $75K here vs. $90K nationally.
How does Montana compare to the national average for technical writers?
Montana pays $75K median vs. the U.S. average of $90K — that’s -17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $77K — below the national median.
How much do technical writers make in Montana?
The median is $75,070 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,630, and experienced technical writers can clear $89,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,823/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 23.4% 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 Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median technical writers salary is worth about $77,392 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.