The median annual wage of technical writers was $63,280 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,160, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,910.
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of technical writers in May 2010 were:
| Software publishers | $76,410 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 66,860 |
| Scientific research and development services | 64,890 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 62,350 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 62,290 |
Technical writers may be expected to work evenings and weekends to coordinate with those in other time zones or to meet deadlines. Most work full time.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition