Writers and Authors pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for writers and authors is $36.98 an hour ($76,910 a year). About 47,940 people work in this job there.
Pay range for writers and authors in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $21.31 | $44,310 |
| 25% of workers | $28.00 | $58,230 |
| Half of workers (median) | $36.98 | $76,910 |
| 75% of workers | $49.01 | $101,950 |
| 90% of workers | $67.25 | $139,870 |
Best-paying states for writers and authors
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $129,300 | 1,050 |
| Maryland | $104,330 | 540 |
| Connecticut | $98,460 | 480 |
| Vermont | $94,430 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $89,520 | 480 |
| California | $86,480 | 8,390 |
| Washington | $85,700 | 770 |
| Massachusetts | $85,260 | 1,350 |
| Virginia | $85,000 | 1,530 |
| New Jersey | $81,590 | 1,180 |
Pay by state
- Arizona · $55,990
- California · $86,480
- Colorado · $76,830
- District of Columbia · $129,300
- Florida · $68,080
- Georgia · $74,710
- Illinois · $68,220
- Maryland · $104,330
- Massachusetts · $85,260
- Minnesota · $72,810
- Missouri · $58,140
- New Jersey · $81,590
- North Carolina · $63,660
- Ohio · $65,930
- Oregon · $80,540
- Pennsylvania · $77,410
- South Carolina · $51,920
- Tennessee · $58,870
- Texas · $69,990
- Virginia · $85,000
- Washington · $85,700
- Wisconsin · $64,370
Education, experience and outlook for writers and authors
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -0.3% over ten years, little or no change · about 11,900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialists | $74,750 |
| Editors | $77,920 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $60,170 |
| Technical Writers | $90,390 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,200 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,340 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $73,620 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $72,420 |
Other job titles for this job
Open writers and authors jobs on JAI Bot
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Hiring writers and authors? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.