Washington Median
$85,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $76,910
State Rank
#7 of 43
770 employed here
How much do Writers and Authors make in Washington?
Writers and Authors in Washington take home a median of $85,700 annually — roughly $41.20 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $76,910.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $50,600 while the top 10% make $129,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,330 and $109,000 a year.
Writers and Authors salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,600 | $24.33 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,330 | $31.41 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $85,700 | $41.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $109,000 | $52.40 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,480 | $62.25 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 7th 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 $86,480Massachusetts $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($85,700) 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 Washington?
The median Writers and Authors salary in Washington is $85,700 per year, or about $41.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,600 at the entry level to $129,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Writers and Authors about 11% more than the national median of $76,910. Washington ranks 7th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Writers and Authors?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $85,700 a year. About 770 Writers and Authors are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Writers and Authors salary report
Related salaries
$77,920
median pay · 92,000 employed
$55,310
median pay · 3,000 employed
$74,990
median pay · 22,000 employed
$70,720
median pay · 12,000 employed
$73,130
median pay · 13,000 employed
$47,320
median pay · 249,000 employed
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.