California Median
$86,480
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $76,910
State Rank
#6 of 43
8,390 employed here
How much do Writers and Authors make in California?
Writers and Authors in California take home a median of $86,480 annually — roughly $41.58 an hour — which runs 12% above the national median of $76,910.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $56,730 while the top 10% make $193,080 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,530 and $127,870 a year.
Writers and Authors salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,730 | $27.27 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $75,530 | $36.31 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,480 | $41.58 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $127,870 | $61.48 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $193,080 | $92.83 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 6th out of 43 states and territories for Writers and Authors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Writers and Authors salary in other states
District of Columbia $129,300Maryland $104,330Connecticut $98,460Vermont $94,430Louisiana $89,520Washington $85,700Massachusetts $85,260Virginia $85,000New Jersey $81,590Oregon $80,540Pennsylvania $77,410Colorado $76,830Indiana $75,820Georgia $74,710Minnesota $72,810New Hampshire $71,830Rhode Island $70,190Texas $69,990Illinois $68,220Florida $68,080Alabama $66,950Ohio $65,930Kansas $65,840Nebraska $65,470Utah $64,530West Virginia $64,410Wisconsin $64,370Nevada $63,910North Carolina $63,660Iowa $61,010Tennessee $58,870Oklahoma $58,770Missouri $58,140South Dakota $56,700Idaho $56,360Arizona $55,990Mississippi $54,180South Carolina $51,920North Dakota $50,860Wyoming $49,650Kentucky $48,780Arkansas $47,970
Working as Writers and Authors in California
Nationally, about 48,000 people work as Writers and Authors in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($86,480) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Writers and Authors make in California?
The median Writers and Authors salary in California is $86,480 per year, or about $41.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,730 at the entry level to $193,080 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Writers and Authors about 12% more than the national median of $76,910. California ranks 6th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Writers and Authors?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $86,480 a year. About 8,390 Writers and Authors are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Writers and Authors salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.