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Author/writer salary
Average author/writer salary
$61,309
Average Author/Writer Salary
The average salary for an author/writer is approximately $61,309 annually, which translates to about $29 per hour. This figure can vary significantly depending on factors such as location, years of experience, and the specific industry in which one works. For instance, authors who specialize in technical writing or copywriting may command higher rates compared to those in other genres.
Where Can an Author/Writer Earn More?
Geographical location plays a crucial role in salary variations. States like California, New York, and Texas often offer higher salaries due to their vibrant publishing industries and demand for skilled writers. Additionally, cities such as San Francisco and New York City rank among the highest paying locations for authors and writers, providing numerous opportunities for professional growth.
Highest Paying Industries
Authors and writers can also explore various industries for better compensation. Fields such as publishing, advertising, and marketing typically offer competitive salaries. Those with niche expertise or advanced degrees may find even more lucrative opportunities, allowing them to maximize their earning potential in the writing profession.
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Where can an Author/Writer earn more?
Average author/writer salary by state
The highest-paying states for author/writers are California, North Dakota, and Nebraska. The lowest average author/writer salary states are Iowa, South Carolina, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for author/writers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah | $73,685 | $35.43 |
| 2 | California | $82,213 | $39.53 |
| 3 | Nebraska | $74,454 | $35.80 |
| 4 | New York | $72,680 | $34.94 |
| 5 | Missouri | $73,576 | $35.37 |
| 6 | Virginia | $69,859 | $33.59 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $71,975 | $34.60 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $80,076 | $38.50 |
| 9 | Michigan | $68,620 | $32.99 |
| 10 | Mississippi | $71,224 | $34.24 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $66,570 | $32.00 |
| 12 | North Carolina | $63,902 | $30.72 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $65,219 | $31.36 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $64,619 | $31.07 |
| 15 | Alaska | $72,073 | $34.65 |
| 16 | Indiana | $65,291 | $31.39 |
| 17 | Delaware | $64,434 | $30.98 |
| 18 | Maine | $68,633 | $33.00 |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $64,019 | $30.78 |
| 20 | Oregon | $63,055 | $30.31 |
| 21 | Maryland | $63,723 | $30.64 |
| 22 | Connecticut | $64,930 | $31.22 |
| 23 | Vermont | $61,796 | $29.71 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $63,485 | $30.52 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $63,222 | $30.40 |
| 26 | Washington | $63,007 | $30.29 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $57,725 | $27.75 |
| 28 | Arizona | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| 29 | Ohio | $61,023 | $29.34 |
| 30 | Idaho | $61,245 | $29.44 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $61,074 | $29.36 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $61,063 | $29.36 |
| 33 | Nevada | $56,816 | $27.32 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $58,037 | $27.90 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $57,913 | $27.84 |
| 36 | Texas | $58,163 | $27.96 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $56,825 | $27.32 |
| 38 | Illinois | $55,334 | $26.60 |
| 39 | Georgia | $56,737 | $27.28 |
| 40 | Montana | $54,725 | $26.31 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $54,794 | $26.34 |
| 42 | Alabama | $56,367 | $27.10 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $56,251 | $27.04 |
| 44 | Florida | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $55,175 | $26.53 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $48,094 | $23.12 |
| 47 | Colorado | $50,293 | $24.18 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $52,600 | $25.29 |
| 49 | Iowa | $52,647 | $25.31 |
| 50 | Kansas | $48,235 | $23.19 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $50,798 | $24.42 |
Highest paying cities for author/writers
The highest-paying cities for author/writers are Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, and McLean, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $81,114 | $39.00 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $72,838 | $35.02 |
| 3 | McLean, VA | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| 4 | Miramar, FL | $53,755 | $25.84 |
| 5 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $48,119 | $23.13 |
Author/writer salary details
An author/writer's salary ranges from $37,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $100,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an author/writer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $100,000 | $8,333 | $48 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| Average | $61,309 | $5,109 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
Highest paying author/writer jobs
The highest paying types of author/writers are fiction writer, author, and co-author.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writer And Editor | $61,482 | $5,124 | $29.56 | 14,865 |
| Writer/Producer | $55,163 | $4,597 | $26.52 | 20,026 |
| Comic Book Writer | $69,377 | $5,781 | $33.35 | 11,008 |
| Content Writer | $58,918 | $4,910 | $28.33 | 19,621 |
| Travel Writer | $57,196 | $4,766 | $27.50 | 18,258 |
| Writer | $66,143 | $5,512 | $31.80 | 13,931 |
Top companies hiring author/writers now:
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Author/Writer salary by industry
The average author/writer salary varies across industries:
- The average author/writer salary in the technology industry is $69,190, the highest of any industry.
- The average author/writer salary in the finance industry is $64,040.
- Author/writers in the education industry earn an average salary of $60,556, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for author/writers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technology | $69,190 | $33.26 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| 3 | Media | $62,943 | $30.26 |
| 4 | Education | $60,556 | $29.11 |
High paying author/writer jobs
Author/writer salary trends
The average author/writer salary has risen by $10,276 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average author/writer earned $51,033 annually, but today, they earn $61,309 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for author/writers over the last decade.
Compare author/writer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average author/writer salary over time
Compare author/writer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Author/writer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $61,300 | $29.48 | +5.8% |
| 2024 | $57,700 | $27.75 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $56,800 | $27.30 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | $56,500 | $27.15 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $55,900 | $26.89 | +1.6% |
Recently added author/writer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course | Author/Writer (German Language) Artesa Group | Chicago, IL | 09/26/2024 | $8,400 |
| Course | Author/Writer (German Language) Artesa Group | Chicago, IL | 09/10/2024 | $8,400 |
| Akkodis | Technical Author/Writer-Automotive Industry (Full Benefits) | Bowne, MI | 02/15/2024 | $60,000 |
| Akkodis | Technical Author/Writer-Automotive Industry (Full Benefits) | Bowne, MI | 01/26/2024 | $60,000 |
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