Advertisement
Technical Writers average salary by city in California
- San Jose$139,970
- San Francisco$137,560
- Santa Rosa$127,330
- Santa Maria$111,700
- San Diego$109,020
- Sacramento$103,570
- Los Angeles$103,080
- Oxnard$102,480
- Riverside$90,160
- Bakersfield$86,730
- Fresno$86,390
Pay, take-home pay and cost of living
| City | Average | Median | 25th pct. | Take-home* | Cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $139,970 | $140,700 | $87,350 | $98,010 | 110 |
| San Francisco | $137,560 | $135,470 | $93,920 | $96,587 | 116 |
| Santa Rosa | $127,330 | $129,590 | $106,510 | $90,546 | 108 |
| Santa Maria | $111,700 | $104,450 | $84,280 | $81,115 | 109 |
| San Diego | $109,020 | $101,750 | $85,510 | $79,479 | 112 |
| Sacramento | $103,570 | $94,400 | $84,400 | $76,152 | 107 |
| Los Angeles | $103,080 | $104,000 | $80,070 | $75,852 | 114 |
| Oxnard | $102,480 | $98,800 | $80,590 | $75,486 | 111 |
| Riverside | $90,160 | $85,500 | $63,330 | $67,965 | 106 |
| Bakersfield | $86,730 | $76,170 | $71,340 | $65,871 | 101 |
| Fresno | $86,390 | $76,030 | $61,400 | $65,663 | 102 |
*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Technical Writers salary in other states
More about pay in California
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.
- 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.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.