Technical Writers pay range in Portland
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $62,630 a year or less, while the top 10% make $128,730 or more. The middle half of technical writers in Portland earn between $72,370 and $99,460.
- $63K10th
- $72K25th
- $78KMedian
- $99K75th
- $129K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $86,190 | $7,182 | $41.44 |
| Median | $78,160 | $6,513 | $37.58 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $72,370 | $6,031 | $34.79 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $99,460 | $8,288 | $47.82 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Technical Writers pay in Portland vs. Maine and the U.S.
Technical writers in Portland earn 11% less than the U.S. average ($96,970). At the median the gap is -14% against the U.S. median of $90,390.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $86,190 | $78,160 | $62,630 | $128,730 | 60 |
| 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 Portland
On the average salary of $86,190, a single filer in Portland takes home about $65,323 a year, or $5,444 a month and $2,512 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 (2026 rules). Maine's standard deduction phase-out above $102,250 of income is not modelled.
Is Portland a good place for technical writers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Portland area are 2% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.9), so the average $86,190 buys what about $84,618 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Portland ($56,960). A typical home costs $542,063, or 6.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Technical Writers salary in nearby metro areas
- Manchester, NH$103,890
- Boston, MA$115,210
- Worcester, MA$103,500
- Providence, RI$96,130
- Burlington, VT$99,840
- Norwich, CT$99,610
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 Portland: questions
How much do technical writers make an hour in Portland?
$41.44 an hour on average, and $37.58 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level technical writers salary in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $62,630 a year and the 25th percentile is $72,370, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the technical writers take-home pay in Portland?
About $65,323 a year ($5,444 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $86,190. Maine's standard deduction phase-out above $102,250 of income is not modelled.
Do technical writers earn more in Portland than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% 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 Portland-South Portland, ME (38860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.3%.
- 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 (2026 rules). Maine's standard deduction phase-out above $102,250 of income is not modelled.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.70, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.70).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.