SOC 27-3042 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Technical Writers — Bakersfield
Bakersfield-Delano, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In Bakersfield, CA the median wage is $76,170.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Bakersfield, CA the median wage is $76,170. That is 15.7% lower than the national median of $90,390. Pay ranges from under $55,840 at the tenth percentile to more than $131,350 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $71,340 to $101,170.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.45 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $140,700. Of the 474 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 175th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,840 | −38.2% |
| 25th | $71,340 | −21.1% |
| Median (50th) | $76,170 | −15.7% |
| 75th | $101,170 | +11.9% |
| 90th | $131,350 | +45.3% |
| Mean | $86,730 | −4.0% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $140,700 | 920 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $135,470 | 1,020 | |
| 3 | Santa Rosa | $129,590 | 40 | |
| 4 | Santa Maria | $104,450 | 60 | |
| 5 | Los Angeles | $104,000 | 1,460 | |
| 6 | San Diego | $101,750 | 520 | |
| 7 | Oxnard | $98,800 | 70 | |
| 8 | Sacramento | $94,400 | 190 | |
| 9 | Riverside | $85,500 | 140 | |
| 10 | Fresno | $76,030 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Bakersfield run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $76,170 buys what $68,808 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 23.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$76,170as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$68,808US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $76,170 a year, 15.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $55,840 to $131,350 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $140,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Technical Writers in Bakersfield, CA?
The median annual wage is $76,170, or $36.62 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $90,390, so pay in Bakersfield, CA is 15.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Bakersfield, CA earns more than $131,350 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $55,840 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $140,700 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Bakersfield, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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