Writers and Authors Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $76,910 · Median hourly: $36.98 · Employment: 47,940
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44,310 | $21.31 |
| 25th | $58,230 | $28.00 |
| Median | $76,910 | $36.98 |
| 75th | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| 90th | $139,870 | $67.25 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 27-3043
- Total U.S. employment: 47,940
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
A closer look
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $44,310, median pay is $76,910, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $139,870.
The mean wage of $86,090 sits 11.9% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Writers and Authors Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $66,950 | $32.19 | -13.0% | 180 |
| Arizona | $55,990 | $26.92 | -27.2% | 600 |
| Arkansas | $47,970 | $23.06 | -37.6% | 270 |
| California | $86,480 | $41.58 | +12.4% | 8,390 |
| Colorado | $76,830 | $36.94 | -0.1% | 1,300 |
| Connecticut | $98,460 | $47.34 | +28.0% | 480 |
| District of Columbia | $129,300 | $62.16 | +68.1% | 1,050 |
| Florida | $68,080 | $32.73 | -11.5% | 3,010 |
| Georgia | $74,710 | $35.92 | -2.9% | 820 |
| Hawaii | — | — | — | 60 |
| Idaho | $56,360 | $27.10 | -26.7% | 90 |
| Illinois | $68,220 | $32.80 | -11.3% | 2,640 |
| Indiana | $75,820 | $36.45 | -1.4% | 450 |
| Iowa | $61,010 | $29.33 | -20.7% | 290 |
| Kansas | $65,840 | $31.65 | -14.4% | 240 |
| Kentucky | $48,780 | $23.45 | -36.6% | 350 |
| Louisiana | $89,520 | $43.04 | +16.4% | 480 |
| Maine | — | — | — | 200 |
| Maryland | $104,330 | $50.16 | +35.7% | 540 |
| Massachusetts | $85,260 | $40.99 | +10.9% | 1,350 |
| Minnesota | $72,810 | $35.01 | -5.3% | 720 |
| Mississippi | $54,180 | $26.05 | -29.6% | 130 |
| Missouri | $58,140 | $27.95 | -24.4% | 600 |
| Montana | — | — | — | 90 |
| Nebraska | $65,470 | $31.47 | -14.9% | 240 |
| Nevada | $63,910 | $30.73 | -16.9% | 190 |
| New Hampshire | $71,830 | $34.53 | -6.6% | 180 |
| New Jersey | $81,590 | $39.23 | +6.1% | 1,180 |
| New Mexico | — | — | — | 90 |
| New York | — | — | — | 7,480 |
| North Carolina | $63,660 | $30.60 | -17.2% | 1,810 |
| North Dakota | $50,860 | $24.45 | -33.9% | 80 |
| Ohio | $65,930 | $31.70 | -14.3% | 830 |
| Oklahoma | $58,770 | $28.26 | -23.6% | 220 |
| Oregon | $80,540 | $38.72 | +4.7% | 950 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,410 | $37.22 | +0.7% | 1,080 |
| Rhode Island | $70,190 | $33.75 | -8.7% | 110 |
| South Carolina | $51,920 | $24.96 | -32.5% | 520 |
| South Dakota | $56,700 | $27.26 | -26.3% | 60 |
| Tennessee | $58,870 | $28.30 | -23.5% | 1,260 |
| Texas | $69,990 | $33.65 | -9.0% | 2,320 |
| Utah | $64,530 | $31.02 | -16.1% | 410 |
| Vermont | $94,430 | $45.40 | +22.8% | 110 |
| Virginia | $85,000 | $40.87 | +10.5% | 1,530 |
| Washington | $85,700 | $41.20 | +11.4% | 770 |
| West Virginia | $64,410 | $30.97 | -16.3% | 110 |
| Wisconsin | $64,370 | $30.95 | -16.3% | 710 |
| Wyoming | $49,650 | $23.87 | -35.4% | 0 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Software Developers — $135,980/yr
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,590/yr
- Accountants and Auditors — $83,680/yr
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for writers and authors?
The median annual wage for writers and authors is $76,910 ($36.98 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays writers and authors the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many writers and authors are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 47,940 writers and authors employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do writers and authors make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $36.98. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.