Technical Writers Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
In Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, technical writers earn $82,890 at the median — $39.85 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $162K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.55), that's roughly $80,829 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,810/month — about 33.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $83K get you in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington’s Regional Price Parity (102.55). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About technical writers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Entry-level technical writers (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $83K. Top earners bring in $162K or more, a $114K spread from bottom to top.
Technical Writers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $109K | +19% | 1,040 |
| Massachusetts | $103K | +12% | 1,750 |
| Rhode Island | $101K | +10% | 410 |
| California | $100K | +10% | 13,210 |
| Maryland | $98K | +7% | 1,770 |
| Washington | $93K | +2% | 1,680 |
| New Hampshire | $92K | +0% | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $89K | -3% | 550 |
| North Carolina | $87K | -5% | 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $87K | -5% | 1,350 |
| Nevada | $86K | -6% | 200 |
| Virginia | $84K | -8% | 2,520 |
| Vermont | $84K | -9% | 80 |
| Oregon | $83K | -9% | 650 |
| New York | $83K | -9% | 2,030 |
| Arizona | $82K | -10% | 710 |
| Missouri | $81K | -11% | 580 |
| Florida | $81K | -12% | 2,590 |
| Alaska | $81K | -12% | N/A |
| Alabama | $81K | -12% | 830 |
| Illinois | $80K | -13% | 1,180 |
| Idaho | $79K | -13% | 270 |
| Texas | $79K | -14% | 3,670 |
| Pennsylvania | $79K | -14% | 1,390 |
| New Mexico | $79K | -14% | 390 |
| Michigan | $79K | -14% | 1,170 |
| South Carolina | $79K | -14% | 520 |
| Indiana | $78K | -15% | 1,070 |
| Tennessee | $77K | -16% | 650 |
| Minnesota | $77K | -16% | 1,210 |
| Wisconsin | $76K | -17% | 780 |
| Utah | $75K | -18% | 620 |
| Georgia | $72K | -21% | 1,710 |
| Kansas | $72K | -21% | 350 |
| Kentucky | $71K | -23% | 330 |
| Ohio | $71K | -23% | 1,570 |
| Maine | $71K | -23% | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $67K | -27% | 680 |
| North Dakota | $66K | -28% | 60 |
| Nebraska | $65K | -29% | 220 |
| Iowa | $64K | -31% | 680 |
| Montana | $63K | -31% | 50 |
| Mississippi | $63K | -32% | 100 |
| Arkansas | $62K | -32% | 130 |
| West Virginia | $62K | -32% | 80 |
| South Dakota | $60K | -34% | 100 |
| Louisiana | $59K | -35% | 250 |
Showing 1–10 of 47 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track technical writers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do technical writers make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median is $82,890 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,470, and experienced technical writers can clear $162,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $83K enough to live in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,346/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,810/month, which eats 33.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a technical writers salary go in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.55 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median technical writers salary is worth about $80,829 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.