Technical Writers pay range in Charleston
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $66,300 a year or less, while the top 10% make $129,540 or more. The middle half of technical writers in Charleston earn between $76,400 and $106,680.
- $66K10th
- $76K25th
- $89KMedian
- $107K75th
- $130K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $93,210 | $7,768 | $44.81 |
| Median | $88,610 | $7,384 | $42.60 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $76,400 | $6,367 | $36.73 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $106,680 | $8,890 | $51.29 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Technical Writers pay in Charleston vs. South Carolina and the U.S.
Technical writers in Charleston earn 9% more than the South Carolina average ($85,310) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($96,970). At the median the gap is -2% against the U.S. median of $90,390.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $93,210 | $88,610 | $66,300 | $129,540 | 150 |
| South Carolina | $85,310 | $82,540 | $57,360 | $120,930 | 700 |
| 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 Charleston
On the average salary of $93,210, a single filer in Charleston takes home about $70,539 a year, or $5,878 a month and $2,713 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).
Is Charleston a good place for technical writers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Charleston area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.0), so the average $93,210 buys what about $92,322 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Charleston ($49,150). A typical home costs $435,877, or 4.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Technical Writers salary in other South Carolina cities
Charleston ranks 1st of 3 South Carolina metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Charleston$93,210
- Columbia$81,510
- Greenville$74,040
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 Charleston: questions
How much do technical writers make an hour in Charleston?
$44.81 an hour on average, and $42.60 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level technical writers salary in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $66,300 a year and the 25th percentile is $76,400, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the technical writers take-home pay in Charleston?
About $70,539 a year ($5,878 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $93,210.
Do technical writers earn more in Charleston than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% 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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC (16700). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.0%.
- 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).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.30, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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