Salary distribution
Where Illinois technical writers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $62,550 and $101,680, with a median of $79,690.
Technical Writers in Illinois: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 9 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $90,750. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $60,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 5 | $76,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 3 | $124,584 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Technical Writers in Illinois. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSG CONSULTANTS, INC | Senior Technical Writer | 2 | $66,255 |
| ABBVIE INC. | TRIAL DISCLOSURE MANAGER | 1 | $126,000 |
| ProPharma Group Holdings, LLC | Senior Medical Writer | 1 | $112,798 |
| ZAHEER PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES SC | Medical Content and Communications Specialist | 1 | $72,000 |
| MBN Financial Services, Inc. | Technical Writer “ Content Strategy | 1 | $76,000 |
| Opportunity Financial, LLC | Technical Writer for Lead Origination & Servicing | 1 | $90,750 |
| Komatsu America Corp. | Lead Writer | 1 | $95,000 |
| AbbVie Inc. | Principal Medical Writer | 1 | $124,584 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- TRIAL DISCLOSURE MANAGER at ABBVIE INC.$126,000BUFFALO GROVEWage Level IIIDecided Sep 25, 2025I-200-25261-317865
- Senior Medical Writer at ProPharma Group Holdings, LLC$112,798BolingbrookWage Level IIDecided Jul 17, 2025I-200-25191-167035
- Senior Technical Writer at GSG CONSULTANTS, INC$72,509SchaumburgWage Level IIDecided Jun 26, 2025I-200-25169-106764
- Medical Content and Communications Specialist at ZAHEER PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES SC$72,000KANKAKEEWage Level IIDecided Jun 24, 2025I-200-25168-099042
- Technical Writer “ Content Strategy at MBN Financial Services, Inc.$76,000NorthfieldWage Level IIDecided Jun 6, 2025I-200-25150-037387
- Technical Writer for Lead Origination & Servicing at Opportunity Financial, LLC$90,750ChicagoWage Level IIDecided May 27, 2025I-203-25139-989888
- Lead Writer at Komatsu America Corp.$95,000PeoriaWage Level IIIDecided May 8, 2025I-200-25121-928645
- Senior Technical Writer at GSG CONSULTANTS, INC$60,000SchaumburtWage Level IDecided Apr 18, 2025I-200-25102-859008
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Technical Writers pay by experience level in Illinois
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Technical Writers in Illinois, by industry
Median offered wage across 6 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Manufacturing leads with a median of $124,584.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | ABBVIE INC. | 3 | $124,584 |
| Healthcare | ZAHEER PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES SC | 1 | $72,000 |
| Professional services | MBN Financial Services, Inc. | 1 | $76,000 |
| Finance and insurance | Opportunity Financial, LLC | 1 | $90,750 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Illinois over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
Less than 5 years
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Writing
Basic skill
- 4.8 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Written Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
- 02
Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
- 03
Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
- 04
Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
- 05
Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
- 06
Develop or maintain online help documentation.
- 07
Assist in laying out material for publication.
- 08
Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+0.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for technical writers in major Illinois metropolitan areas.
- Chicago$80,240
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Technical Writers in Illinois?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Technical Writers in Illinois is $79,690.
- How does Illinois compare to the national median for Technical Writers?
- The Illinois median is -8.7% versus the BLS national figure of $87,266.
- What is the salary range for Technical Writers in Illinois?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $52,320 and the 90th-percentile at $124,280, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Technical Writers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 0.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Technical Writers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.