SOC 27-3043 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Writers and Authors — Durham
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Writers and Authors in Durham, NC is $84,130 per year, 9.4% above the national median of $76,910.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Writers and Authors in Durham, NC is $84,130 per year, 9.4% above the national median of $76,910. Half of workers earn between $63,370 and $96,610. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $47,980 and the ninetieth at $117,890.
Employment stands at 130, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Asheville records the highest median at $70,280. Of the 453 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 111th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,980 | −37.6% |
| 25th | $63,370 | −17.6% |
| Median (50th) | $84,130 | +9.4% |
| 75th | $96,610 | +25.6% |
| 90th | $117,890 | +53.3% |
| Mean | $83,700 | +8.8% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asheville | $70,280 | 90 | |
| 2 | Raleigh | $69,100 | 360 | |
| 3 | Charlotte | $63,720 | 420 | |
| 4 | Greensboro | $63,270 | 100 | |
| 5 | Winston-Salem | $61,460 | 50 | |
| 6 | Wilmington | $47,940 | 180 | |
| 7 | Hickory | $47,300 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Durham run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $84,130 goes as far as $89,215 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$84,130as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$89,215US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $84,130 a year, 9.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,980 to $117,890 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Asheville, at $70,280.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Writers and Authors in Durham, NC?
The median annual wage is $84,130, or $40.45 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $76,910, so pay in Durham, NC is 9.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Durham, NC earns more than $117,890 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,980 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Asheville, at $70,280 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Durham, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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