Writers and Authors pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for writers and authors is $32.80 an hour ($68,220 a year). About 2,640 people work in this job there.
That is 11% lower than the U.S. median ($76,910). Illinois ranks 20th of 43 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for writers and authors in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.11 | $41,830 |
| 25% of workers | $20.88 | $43,440 |
| Half of workers (median) | $32.80 | $68,220 |
| 75% of workers | $46.77 | $97,280 |
| 90% of workers | $64.61 | $134,400 |
Writers and Authors pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $75,940 | 2,120 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (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 Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialists | $76,380 |
| Editors | $76,060 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,290 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,590 |
| Technical Writers | $88,700 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $46,720 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,890 |
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.