How much do Writers and Authors make?
The median pay for Writers and Authors in the United States is $76,910 per year — about $36.98 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $44,310, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $139,870.
That is $15,520 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Writers and Authors salary range by percentile
Half of all Writers and Authors earn between $58,230 and $101,950 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,310 | $21.30 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $58,230 | $28.00 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $76,910 | $36.98 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $101,950 | $49.01 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,870 | $67.25 |
Highest-paying states for Writers and Authors
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Writers and Authors pay at $129,300 a year, followed by Maryland ($104,330) and Connecticut ($98,460). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $47,970 — a gap of $81,330 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $129,300 | $62.16 | +68% |
| 2 | Maryland | $104,330 | $50.16 | +36% |
| 3 | Connecticut | $98,460 | $47.34 | +28% |
| 4 | Vermont | $94,430 | $45.40 | +23% |
| 5 | Louisiana | $89,520 | $43.04 | +16% |
Writers and Authors salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 43 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 48,000 people work as Writers and Authors in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $86,090 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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Related salaries
Other arts & media roles with similar pay.