Writers and Authors salary in the United States
$44,310
10th
$58,230
25th
$76,910
Median
$101,950
75th
$139,870
90th
National median
$76,910
2025 OEWS
Mean
$86,090
Hourly median
$36.98
Employment
47,940
Top paying locations with published data
| Location | Median | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| DC | $129,300 | 1,050 |
| Waterbury, CT | $127,350 | 50 |
| San Jose, CA | $118,810 | 400 |
| Washington, DC | $108,460 | 2,060 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $107,700 | 50 |
| MD | $104,330 | 540 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $103,060 | 150 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $102,570 | — |
| Seattle, WA | $98,730 | 520 |
| CT | $98,460 | 480 |
| Hartford, CT | $97,160 | 140 |
| VT | $94,430 | 110 |
| New Haven, CT | $94,410 | 60 |
| Trenton, NJ | $90,060 | 110 |
| LA | $89,520 | 480 |
| Portland, OR | $87,560 | 600 |
| Baltimore, MD | $87,020 | 240 |
| CA | $86,480 | 8,390 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $86,340 | 30 |
| WA | $85,700 | 770 |
| MA | $85,260 | 1,350 |
| Boston, MA | $85,260 | 1,130 |
| Burlington, VT | $85,020 | 40 |
| VA | $85,000 | 1,530 |
| Norwich, CT | $84,940 | 40 |
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025. Published survey snapshot, not a real-time market rate.