Iowa Median
$61,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $76,910
State Rank
#31 of 43
290 employed here
How much do Writers and Authors make in Iowa?
Writers and Authors in Iowa take home a median of $61,010 annually — roughly $29.33 an hour — which runs 21% below the national median of $76,910.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $48,260 while the top 10% make $88,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,280 and $69,220 a year.
Writers and Authors salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,260 | $23.20 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,280 | $24.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,010 | $29.33 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $69,220 | $33.28 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,560 | $42.58 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 31st 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 $69,990Illinois $68,220Florida $68,080Alabama $66,950Ohio $65,930Kansas $65,840Nebraska $65,470Utah $64,530West Virginia $64,410Wisconsin $64,370Nevada $63,910North Carolina $63,660Tennessee $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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($61,010) 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 Iowa?
The median Writers and Authors salary in Iowa is $61,010 per year, or about $29.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,260 at the entry level to $88,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Writers and Authors about 21% less than the national median of $76,910. Iowa ranks 31st out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Writers and Authors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $61,010 a year. About 290 Writers and Authors are employed in Iowa. 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 Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.