Writers and Authors salary in Arkansas
Writers and Authors in Arkansas earn a median of $47,970 a year ($23.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,350 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $76,910. Arkansas ranks 43rd of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.21 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $54,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,560 | $14.69 |
| 25th percentile | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Median | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| 75th percentile | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Average (mean) | $54,190 | $26.05 |
Half of writers and authors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,997.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,998.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,845 |
| Weekly | $922.50 |
| Hourly | $23.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Writers and Authors salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $58,480 | 170 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $50,720 | 80 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $47,210 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for writers and authors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $129,300 |
| Maryland | $104,330 |
| Connecticut | $98,460 |
| Vermont | $94,430 |
| Louisiana | $89,520 |
| California | $86,480 |
| Washington | $85,700 |
| Massachusetts | $85,260 |
| Virginia | $85,000 |
| New Jersey | $81,590 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| Editor | $50,180 | $24.13 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,490 | $25.24 |
| Technical Writer | $61,180 | $29.41 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $59,180 | $28.45 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $32,280 | $15.52 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $38,930 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| Graphic Designer | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Interior Designer | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Producers and Directors | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| Floral Designer | $29,910 | $14.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3043. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a writers and authors make in Arkansas?
The median salary for writers and authors in Arkansas is $47,970 a year, or $23.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Arkansas earn at least $79,350 a year. The top 25% earn $62,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,560 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $39,150 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Arkansas?
About 270 writers and authors are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.