Technical Writers pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $59,960 a year or less, while the top 10% make $135,770 or more. The middle half of technical writers in Chicago earn between $73,150 and $108,890.
- $60K10th
- $73K25th
- $90KMedian
- $109K75th
- $136K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $93,820 | $7,818 | $45.11 |
| Median | $89,960 | $7,497 | $43.25 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $73,150 | $6,096 | $35.17 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $108,890 | $9,074 | $52.35 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Technical Writers pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Technical writers in Chicago earn about the same as the Illinois average ($92,610) and 3% less than the U.S. average ($96,970). At the median the gap is -0% against the U.S. median of $90,390.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $93,820 | $89,960 | $59,960 | $135,770 | 790 |
| Illinois | $92,610 | $88,700 | $58,800 | $130,890 | 1,040 |
| United States | $96,970 | $90,390 | $57,440 | $145,270 | 45,500 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Technical Writers salary after taxes in Chicago
On the average salary of $93,820, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $70,329 a year, or $5,861 a month and $2,705 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $72,048 | $6,004 |
| Working in IL | $70,329 | $5,861 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for technical writers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $93,820 buys what about $90,564 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 3.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Technical Writers salary in other Illinois cities
Chicago ranks 1st of 2 Illinois metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Chicago$93,820
- Peoria$86,940
Highest-paying cities for technical writers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($139,970).
- San Jose, CA$139,970
- San Francisco, CA$137,560
- Santa Rosa, CA$127,330
- Boulder, CO$115,710
- Boston, MA$115,210
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Technical Writers salary in Chicago: questions
How much do technical writers make an hour in Chicago?
$45.11 an hour on average, and $43.25 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level technical writers salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $59,960 a year and the 25th percentile is $73,150, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the technical writers take-home pay in Chicago?
About $70,329 a year ($5,861 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $93,820.
Do technical writers earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 3% less than the U.S. average for this job ($96,970).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-3042; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.2%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.60, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.60).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.