Writers and Authors Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 45 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Writers and Authors Salary in All 50 States
Compare Writers and Authors pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $107,540 | $108,860 | $57,830 | $155,950 | 620 |
| Washington | $86,170 | $91,770 | $51,050 | $129,990 | 900 |
| Vermont | $86,040 | $83,240 | $55,450 | $100,440 | 60 |
| Virginia | $80,990 | $87,920 | $48,000 | $133,930 | 1,630 |
| Connecticut | $80,950 | $92,350 | $41,210 | $140,640 | 640 |
| California | $80,470 | $96,880 | $45,880 | $163,180 | 8,950 |
| Massachusetts | $78,440 | $92,520 | $48,810 | $137,130 | 1,260 |
| Oregon | $77,830 | $82,340 | $47,340 | $128,490 | 850 |
| New Jersey | $75,640 | $79,770 | $45,790 | $119,180 | 1,610 |
| New Mexico | $73,790 | $99,610 | $46,230 | N/A | 60 |
| Texas | $71,650 | $82,840 | $43,460 | $133,420 | 2,100 |
| Louisiana | $70,810 | $69,090 | $26,520 | $108,480 | 380 |
| Ohio | $67,580 | $69,310 | $37,970 | $98,270 | 960 |
| West Virginia | $66,970 | $63,160 | $22,200 | $98,550 | 100 |
| Illinois | $66,180 | $73,530 | $36,950 | $121,080 | 2,010 |
| Minnesota | $65,900 | $72,500 | $46,690 | $103,690 | 980 |
| Florida | $65,830 | $79,820 | $42,100 | $135,210 | 2,440 |
| Idaho | $65,450 | $71,280 | $37,250 | $109,610 | 100 |
| Maine | $65,000 | $67,940 | $33,280 | $102,350 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $64,150 | $74,300 | $41,790 | $94,320 | 200 |
| Georgia | $64,070 | $78,720 | $36,340 | $116,480 | 1,200 |
| North Carolina | $63,720 | $69,370 | $35,580 | $101,160 | 2,170 |
| Arizona | $62,640 | $65,360 | $38,110 | $98,690 | 580 |
| Wisconsin | $62,450 | $67,870 | $46,860 | $92,240 | 620 |
| Indiana | $62,080 | $71,970 | $47,070 | $102,510 | 510 |
| Michigan | $61,800 | $58,880 | $35,530 | $81,580 | 860 |
| Utah | $61,020 | $63,720 | $33,480 | $89,830 | 630 |
| New Hampshire | $60,690 | $67,550 | $38,120 | $112,820 | 230 |
| Montana | $59,990 | $63,790 | $44,550 | $83,770 | 90 |
| Rhode Island | $59,550 | $69,640 | $37,400 | $102,260 | 200 |
| Kansas | $59,440 | $55,750 | $15,890 | $100,090 | 190 |
| Missouri | $59,040 | $63,900 | $39,970 | $99,570 | 550 |
| South Dakota | $58,740 | $59,430 | $39,640 | $100,440 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $58,620 | $61,120 | $41,020 | $91,070 | 1,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,170 | $73,600 | $21,030 | $134,780 | 1,360 |
| Delaware | $57,310 | $65,030 | $48,180 | $93,860 | 40 |
| Alabama | $57,120 | $64,040 | $36,150 | $108,510 | 170 |
| Iowa | $54,990 | $57,130 | $31,990 | $81,170 | 280 |
| Oklahoma | $52,720 | $59,200 | $36,160 | $80,470 | N/A |
| Nevada | $52,700 | $59,870 | $39,230 | $84,220 | 200 |
| North Dakota | $51,970 | $53,680 | $33,280 | $73,800 | 70 |
| South Carolina | $51,850 | $59,950 | $35,360 | $93,720 | 470 |
| Mississippi | $51,230 | $53,580 | $27,150 | $83,950 | 130 |
| Arkansas | $46,490 | $51,080 | $34,840 | $71,300 | 280 |
| Kentucky | $43,450 | $51,470 | $35,430 | $75,330 | 340 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Writers and Authors Salary FAQs
Which state pays Writers and Authorss the most?
Maryland pays the highest median salary for Writers and Authorss at $107,540 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Maryland ($107,540), Washington ($86,170), Vermont ($86,040), Virginia ($80,990), Connecticut ($80,950).
What is the average Writers and Authors salary nationally?
The average median Writers and Authors salary across all 45 states is $65,094 per year. The salary ranges from $43,450 in Kentucky to $107,540 in Maryland — a difference of $64,090.
Which state pays Writers and Authorss the least?
Kentucky has the lowest median Writers and Authors salary at $43,450 per year. However, cost of living in Kentucky may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.