Technical Writer Salary in Baltimore, MD
Technical Writers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median $102,140 a year — 13% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,197 take-home, or $6,350 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median technical writer salary in Baltimore, MD. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,641
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,333
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,481
- Maryland income tax$4,488
- Take-home pay$76,197
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.75% state
Technical Writer pay by experience in Baltimore, MD
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,610 | $37.79 | $60,762 | $5,063 |
| 25th percentile | $79,730 | $38.33 | $61,497 | $5,125 |
| Median (50th) | $102,140 | $49.11 | $76,197 | $6,350 |
| 75th percentile | $125,380 | $60.28 | $91,324 | $7,610 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,210 | $77.99 | $114,565 | $9,547 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Maryland resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,140 buys in Baltimore, MD
Prices in Baltimore, MD are 4.5% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.18× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median technical writer's $76,197 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,925 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Baltimore, MD has 2.1× the national concentration of technical writer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for technical writers, adjusted for cost of living
Baltimore, MD ranks #6 of 24 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $140,700 | $96,750 | $87,617 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $135,470 | $93,730 | $81,072 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $107,580 | $84,513 | $76,046 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $111,750 | $82,079 | $75,812 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $103,360 | $77,704 | $73,457 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $102,140 | $76,197 | $72,925 |
| 7 | Raleigh, NC | $93,580 | $71,438 | $72,780 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $88,360 | $70,991 | $72,391 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 24 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical writer make in Baltimore, MD?
The median technical writer salary in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $102,140 a year, or about $49.11 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,730 and $125,380.
What is a technical writer’s take-home pay in Baltimore, MD?
On the median $102,140 salary, a single filer living in Maryland takes home about $76,197 a year ($6,350 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,488 in Maryland taxes in 2026.
Is Baltimore, MD a good place to work as a technical writer?
Pay here is 13% above the national median of $90,390. Local prices are 4.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,925 would in a typical U.S. city. Baltimore, MD ranks #6 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a technical writer afford rent in Baltimore, MD?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Baltimore, MD is $1,511 a month ($1,857 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median technical writer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Baltimore, MD
- Producer and Director — $80,850
- Editor — $79,730
- Public Relations Specialist — $77,570
- Graphic Designer — $75,790
- Audio and Video Technician — $65,270
- Interior Designer — $63,080
- Coach and Scout — $48,440
- Photographer — $46,170
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $42,660