District of Columbia Median
$129,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+68% vs US median
US median $76,910
State Rank
#1 of 43
1,050 employed here
How much do Writers and Authors make in District of Columbia?
Writers and Authors working in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $129,300 per year, or about $62.16 per hour. That is 68% above the national median of $76,910 for this occupation.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $74,990 while the top 10% make $172,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $100,320 and $158,020 a year.
Writers and Authors salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,990 | $36.05 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $100,320 | $48.23 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $129,300 | $62.16 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $158,020 | $75.97 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,480 | $82.92 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 43 states and territories for Writers and Authors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Writers and Authors salary in other states
Maryland $104,330Connecticut $98,460Vermont $94,430Louisiana $89,520California $86,480Washington $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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($129,300) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Writers and Authors salary in District of Columbia is $129,300 per year, or about $62.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $74,990 at the entry level to $172,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Writers and Authors about 68% more than the national median of $76,910. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Writers and Authors?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $129,300 a year. About 1,050 Writers and Authors are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.