Technical Illustrator Salary in 2026
Create technical drawings and illustrations for manuals, publications, and presentations.
Median Salary
$62,000
$5,167/mo
Entry Level
$42,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$85,000
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
Technical Illustrator Overview
Create technical drawings and illustrations for manuals, publications, and presentations.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Creative
Total Jobs (US)
20K
5-Year Growth
+5%
Category
Creative
Hourly Rate
$29.81/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,167
Technical Illustrator Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Technical Illustrator salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Technical Illustrator Salary
$70,000
$5,833/month · $2,692/biweekly · $33.65/hr
Technical Illustrator Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Technical Illustrator field.
Entry-level Technical Illustrators earn around $42,000, while the top 10% earn $93,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Technical Illustrators
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $73,000 | +$11,000 |
| Washington | $69,000 | +$7,000 |
| Massachusetts | $69,000 | +$7,000 |
| Virginia | $66,000 | +$4,000 |
| Texas | $61,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Technical Illustrators
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $78,000 | +$16,000 |
| Seattle | $71,000 | +$9,000 |
| Washington DC | $71,000 | +$9,000 |
| Boston | $69,000 | +$7,000 |
| Austin | $64,000 | +$2,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Technical Illustrator Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Technical Illustrator from entry level to expert.
$42,000
0-2 years
$64,000
3-7 years
$85,000
8-14 years
$102,000
15+ years
Related Creative Jobs
Technical Illustrator Salary FAQ
Explore More Job Salaries
Compare salary data for hundreds of jobs across all industries. Find out what you should be earning.