How Much Does an Author Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$76,910
Authors in the U.S. earn a median of $76,910 a year, or $36.98 an hour. Half of authors earn more than $76,910 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $139,870.
Pay percentiles for authors
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21.31 | $44,310 |
| 25th | $28.00 | $58,230 |
| 50th (median) | $36.98 | $76,910 |
| 75th | $49.01 | $101,950 |
| 90th | $67.25 | $139,870 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Writers and Authors (SOC 27-3043). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for authors
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $129,300 | $62.16 | +68% |
| Maryland | $104,330 | $50.16 | +36% |
| Connecticut | $98,460 | $47.34 | +28% |
| Vermont | $94,430 | $45.40 | +23% |
| Louisiana | $89,520 | $43.04 | +16% |
| California | $86,480 | $41.58 | +12% |
| Washington | $85,700 | $41.20 | +11% |
| Massachusetts | $85,260 | $40.99 | +11% |
| Virginia | $85,000 | $40.87 | +11% |
| New Jersey | $81,590 | $39.23 | +6% |
| United States | $76,910 | $36.98 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many authors are there?
BLS counts about 47,940 authors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Writers and Authors”. The most jobs are in California (8,390), New York (7,480) and Florida (3,010).
The mean (average) annual wage is $86,090, higher than the median of $76,910.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,409
- Biweekly
- $2,958
- Weekly
- $1,479
- Daily (8 hours)
- $296
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do authors make an hour?
The median hourly wage for authors is $36.98. The middle 50% earn between $28.00 and $49.01 an hour.
Which state pays authors the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for authors at $129,300, +68% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for authors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of authors earn less than $44,310 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.