How much does a writer and author make?
The median writer and author in the United States earns $76,910 per year, about $36.98 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all writers and authors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-3043.
Writer and author salary range
Pay for writers and authors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,310 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $139,870. The average (mean) wage of $86,090 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,310 | $21.31 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $58,230 | $28.00 | |
| Median (50th) | $76,910 | $36.98 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $101,950 | $49.01 | |
| 90th percentile | $139,870 | $67.25 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for writers and authors (SOC 27-3043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Writer and author salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Writers and authors earn the most in District of Columbia at $129,300 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $47,970. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Oregon | $80,540 | 950 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,410 | 1,080 |
| Colorado | $76,830 | 1,300 |
| Indiana | $75,820 | 450 |
| Georgia | $74,710 | 820 |
| Minnesota | $72,810 | 720 |
| New Hampshire | $71,830 | 180 |
| Rhode Island | $70,190 | 110 |
| Texas | $69,990 | 2,320 |
| Illinois | $68,220 | 2,640 |
| Florida | $68,080 | 3,010 |
| Alabama | $66,950 | 180 |
| Ohio | $65,930 | 830 |
| Kansas | $65,840 | 240 |
| Nebraska | $65,470 | 240 |
| Utah | $64,530 | 410 |
| West Virginia | $64,410 | 110 |
| Wisconsin | $64,370 | 710 |
| Nevada | $63,910 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $63,660 | 1,810 |
| Iowa | $61,010 | 290 |
| Tennessee | $58,870 | 1,260 |
| Oklahoma | $58,770 | 220 |
| Missouri | $58,140 | 600 |
| South Dakota | $56,700 | 60 |
| Idaho | $56,360 | 90 |
| Arizona | $55,990 | 600 |
| Mississippi | $54,180 | 130 |
| South Carolina | $51,920 | 520 |
| North Dakota | $50,860 | 80 |
| Wyoming | $49,650 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $48,780 | 350 |
| Arkansas | $47,970 | 270 |
State median wages for writers and authors (SOC 27-3043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for writers and authors
The BLS projects employment of writers and authors to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 140,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 139,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 11,900 openings a year for writers and authors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a writer and author
The typical entry-level education for writers and authors is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a writer and author earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $129,300) and the lowest (Arkansas, $47,970) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 47,940 people work as writers and authors in the United States. At $76,910 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Writer and author salary FAQ
How much does a writer and author make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a writer and author is $36.98. The middle half of writers and authors earn between $28.00 and $49.01 per hour.
What is the highest writer and author salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of writers and authors earn more than $139,870 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a writer and author make a year?
The median annual salary for a writer and author is $76,910. The average (mean) wage of $86,090 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a writer and author a well paid job?
At $76,910 a year, a writer and author earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 47,940 people work as writers and authors in the United States.
Which state pays writers and authors the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for writers and authors at $129,300 a year. Maryland ($104,330) and Connecticut ($98,460) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a writer and author a good career?
Employment of writers and authors is projected to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 11,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a writer and author?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for writers and authors as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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