Writers and Authors pay in California
In California, the median pay for writers and authors is $41.58 an hour ($86,480 a year). About 8,390 people work in this job there.
That is 12% higher than the U.S. median ($76,910). California ranks 6th of 43 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for writers and authors in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $27.27 | $56,730 |
| 25% of workers | $36.31 | $75,530 |
| Half of workers (median) | $41.58 | $86,480 |
| 75% of workers | $61.48 | $127,870 |
| 90% of workers | $92.83 | $193,080 |
Writers and Authors pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $118,810 | 400 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $107,700 | 50 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $86,340 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $82,920 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $82,690 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $82,590 | 350 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $78,990 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $77,250 | 0 |
| Fresno | $77,060 | 70 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $74,820 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $73,600 | 40 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialists | $85,030 |
| Editors | $98,030 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $102,630 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $70,770 |
| Technical Writers | $104,000 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $116,020 |
Other job titles for this job
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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.