Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, District of Columbia
$133,500 / year
≈ $11,150 per month · $64.18 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for District of Columbia · median $134,000
25th percentile
$104,000Average
$133,50075th percentile
$163,500
$104,000Average
$133,50075th percentile
$163,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Writers and Authors salary by state
Alabama$75,500
Arizona$65,500
Arkansas$56,000
California$110,500
Colorado$84,000
Connecticut$114,500
District of Columbia$133,500
Florida$77,500
Georgia$86,000
Idaho$68,000
Illinois$80,000
Indiana$88,500
Iowa$65,000
Kansas$64,500
Kentucky$57,500
Louisiana$85,500
Maryland$113,500
Massachusetts$98,000
Minnesota$79,000
Mississippi$58,500
Missouri$68,500
Nebraska$71,500
Nevada$66,000
New Hampshire$82,000
New Jersey$90,000
North Carolina$75,000
North Dakota$59,000
Ohio$72,000
Oklahoma$68,500
Oregon$91,000
Pennsylvania$93,000
Rhode Island$86,000
South Carolina$60,500
South Dakota$59,000
Tennessee$68,500
Texas$84,000
Utah$74,000
Vermont$99,500
Virginia$91,500
Washington$94,000
West Virginia$70,000
Wisconsin$69,500
Wyoming$54,500
About this role
Writers and Authors is a professional role within the function in the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Writers and Authorss do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
- Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
- Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
- Present drafts and ideas to clients.
- Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
- Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.
Top skills: Writing Reading Comprehension Speaking Active Listening Time Management Critical Thinking
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Writers and Authors pay by experience level
Entry level$46,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$60,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$79,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$105,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$145,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+3.6%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
13,400
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Writers and Authors salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
13,230 workers
$90,500Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries
7,190 workers
$72,500Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
6,730 workers
$71,500Publishing Industries
6,010 workers
$86,500Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
5,910 workers
$91,500Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers
5,270 workers
$84,000Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
3,880 workers
$84,000Educational Services
3,340 workers
$79,500Broadcasting and Content Providers
2,830 workers
$93,000Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
2,310 workers
$78,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Writers and Authors pays 1% above the average across 45 roles in the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job family (family average $88,500).
Similar-paying roles in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Film and Video Editors$89,000
Public Relations Specialist$87,000
Editor$93,500
Sound Engineering Technician$84,000
Fashion Designer$94,500
Designers, All Other$82,000
Careers related to Writers and Authors
Public Relations Specialist$87,000
Advertising Sales Agent$83,500
Search Marketing Strategist$92,500
Editor$93,500
Art Director$134,000
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Writers and Authors make?
The average base salary for a Writers and Authors in the United States is $89,000 per year, or about $42.79 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $60,000 and $105,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media roles?
The Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job family averages $88,500 across 45 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Put this data to work
Need Writers and Authors pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
Request an analysisWant to see what this salary looks like after taxes? Estimate your take-home pay →
