Technical Writers pay range in Rochester
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,930 a year or less, while the top 10% make $120,530 or more. The middle half of technical writers in Rochester earn between $60,520 and $90,460.
- $59K10th
- $61K25th
- $78KMedian
- $90K75th
- $121K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $81,810 | $6,818 | $39.33 |
| Median | $78,370 | $6,531 | $37.68 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $60,520 | $5,043 | $29.10 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $90,460 | $7,538 | $43.49 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Technical Writers pay in Rochester vs. New York and the U.S.
Technical writers in Rochester earn 19% less than the New York average ($100,460) and 16% less than the U.S. average ($96,970). At the median the gap is -13% against the U.S. median of $90,390.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $81,810 | $78,370 | $58,930 | $120,530 | 70 |
| New York | $100,460 | $98,310 | $53,560 | $152,570 | 1,610 |
| 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 Rochester
On the average salary of $81,810, a single filer in Rochester takes home about $62,489 a year, or $5,207 a month and $2,403 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Is Rochester a good place for technical writers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Rochester area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.0), so the average $81,810 buys what about $84,310 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Rochester ($51,210). A typical home costs $285,034, or 3.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Technical Writers salary in other New York cities
Rochester ranks 5th of 5 New York metro areas for this job; New York pays the most ($111,070).
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 Rochester: questions
How much do technical writers make an hour in Rochester?
$39.33 an hour on average, and $37.68 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level technical writers salary in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,930 a year and the 25th percentile is $60,520, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the technical writers take-home pay in Rochester?
About $62,489 a year ($5,207 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $81,810. New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Do technical writers earn more in Rochester than elsewhere?
The average here is 16% 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 Rochester, NY (40380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.5%.
- 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). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.46, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.46).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.