SOC 273043

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material. Excludes "News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists" (27-3023), "Public Relations Specialists" (27-3031), and "Technical Writers" (27-3042).

National Median

$72,270

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$72,270

Entry Level (10th pct)

$41,080

Experienced (90th pct)

$133,680

Total Employed

47,800

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$41,080 - $52,890
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$52,890 - $98,320
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$98,320 - $133,680

Highest Paying Locations for Writers and Authors

District of Columbia

$121,160

+67.6% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$107,810

+49.2% vs national

Maryland

$107,540

+48.8% vs national

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

$106,340

+47.1% vs national

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

$100,550

+39.1% vs national

Writers and Authors Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
District of Columbia	$121,160	1,240
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$107,810	390
Maryland	$107,540	620
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$106,340	2,310
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$100,550	290
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$97,680	1,330
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$96,240	40
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$96,120	60
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$92,280	80
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$90,320	720
Washington	$86,170	900
Vermont	$86,040	60
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$84,520	580
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$83,580	50
Charlottesville, VA	$83,090	50
New Haven, CT	$82,280	80
Virginia	$80,990	1,630
Connecticut	$80,950	640
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$80,950	50
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$80,470	360
California	$80,470	8,950
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$80,350	140
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$79,340	130
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$79,080	4,460
Worcester, MA	$79,080	50
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$78,870	1,070
Massachusetts	$78,440	1,260
Oregon	$77,830	850
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	$77,710	40
Baton Rouge, LA	$77,640	110
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$76,680	200
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$76,130	110
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$76,060	370
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$75,920	240
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$75,890	720
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$75,690	360
New Jersey	$75,640	1,610
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$75,330	190
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$74,830	100
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$74,820	570
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	$74,790	40
Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area	$74,090	40
Salinas, CA	$73,860	30
New Mexico	$73,790	60
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$72,810	30
Huntsville, AL	$72,740	30
Tallahassee, FL	$72,010	40
Columbus, OH	$72,000	270
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$72,000	660
Texas	$71,650	2,100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Writers and Authors?

The national median annual salary for Writers and Authors is $72,270, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Writers and Authorss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Writers and Authorss is District of Columbia, with a median salary of $121,160.

How much can an experienced Writers and Authors make?

Top-earning Writers and Authorss (90th percentile) make $133,680 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.