Technical Writers pay range in Portland
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,990 a year or less, while the top 10% make $143,010 or more. The middle half of technical writers in Portland earn between $70,640 and $119,930.
- $59K10th
- $71K25th
- $82KMedian
- $120K75th
- $143K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $94,660 | $7,888 | $45.51 |
| Median | $81,540 | $6,795 | $39.20 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $70,640 | $5,887 | $33.96 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $119,930 | $9,994 | $57.66 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Technical Writers pay in Portland vs. Oregon and the U.S.
Technical writers in Portland earn about the same as the Oregon average ($95,890) and about the same as the U.S. average ($96,970). At the median the gap is -10% against the U.S. median of $90,390.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $94,660 | $81,540 | $58,990 | $143,010 | 460 |
| Oregon | $95,890 | $84,000 | $58,990 | $150,220 | 590 |
| 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 $94,660, a single filer in Portland takes home about $68,442 a year, or $5,703 a month and $2,632 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% of gross pay.
The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WA | $75,423 | $6,285 |
| Working in OR | $68,442 | $5,703 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
Is Portland a good place for technical writers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Portland area are 5% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 105.4), so the average $94,660 buys what about $89,792 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Portland ($60,690). A typical home costs $552,022, or 5.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Technical Writers salary in other Oregon cities
Portland ranks 1st of 3 Oregon 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
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?
$45.51 an hour on average, and $39.20 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level technical writers salary in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,990 a year and the 25th percentile is $70,640, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the technical writers take-home pay in Portland?
About $68,442 a year ($5,703 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $94,660. Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
Do technical writers earn more in Portland than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as 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-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA (38900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.1%.
- 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). Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.31, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.