Writers and Authors salary in Asheville, NC
Writers and Authors in the Asheville, NC metro area earn a median of $70,280 a year ($33.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,490 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 10% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $63,660. There are 0.47 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,960, close to the median.
Pay range for writers and authors in Asheville, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| 25th percentile | $46,210 | $22.21 |
| Median | $70,280 | $33.79 |
| 75th percentile | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Average (mean) | $67,960 | $32.67 |
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 | $5,856.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,928.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,703.08 |
| Weekly | $1,351.54 |
| Hourly | $33.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Writers and Authors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $84,130 | 130 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,460 | 160 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $69,100 | 360 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,720 | 420 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $63,270 | 100 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,460 | 50 |
| Wilmington, NC | $47,940 | 180 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,300 | 40 |
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 |
See Writers and Authors pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Asheville, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| Editor | $66,210 | $31.83 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $41,580 | $19.99 |
| Technical Writer | $68,180 | $32.78 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,890 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,760 | $27.29 |
| Producers and Directors | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| Photographer | $35,120 | $16.88 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Floral Designer | $40,760 | $19.60 |
| Art Director | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $81,070 | $38.97 |
| Broadcast Technician | $45,100 | $21.68 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Asheville, NC
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 Asheville, NC?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Asheville, NC metro area is $70,280 a year, or $33.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Asheville, NC?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Asheville, NC metro area earn at least $98,490 a year. The top 25% earn $76,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Asheville, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,680 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $46,210 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Asheville, NC?
About 90 writers and authors are employed in the Asheville, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.