Technical Writers pay range in Memphis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $59,540 a year or less, while the top 10% make $132,030 or more. The middle half of technical writers in Memphis earn between $67,130 and $107,660.
- $60K10th
- $67K25th
- $91KMedian
- $108K75th
- $132K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $89,640 | $7,470 | $43.10 |
| Median | $90,710 | $7,559 | $43.61 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $67,130 | $5,594 | $32.27 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $107,660 | $8,972 | $51.76 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Technical Writers pay in Memphis vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Technical writers in Memphis earn 9% more than the Tennessee average ($82,580) and 8% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $89,640 | $90,710 | $59,540 | $132,030 | 80 |
| Tennessee | $82,580 | $79,550 | $50,430 | $108,890 | 480 |
| 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 Memphis
On the average salary of $89,640, a single filer in Memphis takes home about $71,892 a year, or $5,991 a month and $2,765 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $71,892 | $5,991 |
| Working in AR | $69,063 | $5,755 |
| Working in MS | $69,038 | $5,753 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Memphis a good place for technical writers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Memphis area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $89,640 buys what about $97,246 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Memphis ($46,890). A typical home costs $247,229, or 2.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Technical Writers salary in other Tennessee cities
Memphis ranks 1st of 3 Tennessee metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
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
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Technical Writers salary in Memphis: questions
How much do technical writers make an hour in Memphis?
$43.10 an hour on average, and $43.61 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level technical writers salary in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $59,540 a year and the 25th percentile is $67,130, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the technical writers take-home pay in Memphis?
About $71,892 a year ($5,991 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $89,640. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do technical writers earn more in Memphis than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR (32820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.4%.
- 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 no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.45, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.45).
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