SOC 27-3043 · May 2025 · United States
Writers and Authors
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Writers and Authors across the United States is $76,910 per year, measured over 47,940 jobs. The highest state median is in District of Columbia, at $129,300.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Writers and Authors
Pay for this occupation varies by 169.5% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. District of Columbia pays $129,300 and Arkansas pays $47,970.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $129,300 | 1,050 | |
| 2 | Maryland | $104,330 | 540 | |
| 3 | Connecticut | $98,460 | 480 | |
| 4 | Vermont | $94,430 | 110 | |
| 5 | Louisiana | $89,520 | 480 | |
| 6 | California | $86,480 | 8,390 | |
| 7 | Washington | $85,700 | 770 | |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $85,260 | 1,350 | |
| 9 | Virginia | $85,000 | 1,530 | |
| 10 | New Jersey | $81,590 | 1,180 |
States with the most Writers and Authors jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 8,390 | $86,480 | |
| 2 | Florida | 3,010 | $68,080 | |
| 3 | Illinois | 2,640 | $68,220 | |
| 4 | Texas | 2,320 | $69,990 | |
| 5 | North Carolina | 1,810 | $63,660 | |
| 6 | Virginia | 1,530 | $85,000 | |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 1,350 | $85,260 | |
| 8 | Colorado | 1,300 | $76,830 | |
| 9 | Tennessee | 1,260 | $58,870 | |
| 10 | New Jersey | 1,180 | $81,590 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterbury | $127,350 | 50 |
| 2 | San Jose | $118,810 | 400 |
| 3 | Washington | $108,460 | 2,060 |
| 4 | Santa Rosa | $107,700 | 50 |
| 5 | Bridgeport | $103,060 | 150 |
| 6 | Fort Collins | $102,570 | — |
| 7 | Seattle | $98,730 | 520 |
| 8 | Hartford | $97,160 | 140 |
| 9 | New Haven | $94,410 | 60 |
| 10 | Trenton | $90,060 | 110 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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