Illinois Median
$68,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.80
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $76,910
State Rank
#20 of 43
2,640 employed here
How much do Writers and Authors make in Illinois?
Writers and Authors working in Illinois earn a median salary of $68,220 per year, or about $32.80 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $76,910 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $41,830 while the top 10% make $134,400 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,440 and $97,280 a year.
Writers and Authors salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,830 | $20.11 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $43,440 | $20.88 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $68,220 | $32.80 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $97,280 | $46.77 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,400 | $64.62 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 20th 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 $89,520California $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 $69,990Florida $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($68,220) 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 Illinois?
The median Writers and Authors salary in Illinois is $68,220 per year, or about $32.80 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,830 at the entry level to $134,400 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Writers and Authors about 11% less than the national median of $76,910. Illinois ranks 20th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Writers and Authors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $68,220 a year. About 2,640 Writers and Authors are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.