Writers and Authors salary in Birmingham, AL
Writers and Authors in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $64,460 a year ($30.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,000 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 4% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $66,950. There are 0.13 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $69,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,710 | $20.06 |
| 25th percentile | $53,610 | $25.77 |
| Median | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| 75th percentile | $85,590 | $41.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Average (mean) | $69,150 | $33.25 |
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 | $5,371.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,685.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,479.23 |
| Weekly | $1,239.62 |
| Hourly | $30.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL | $76,710 | 30 |
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,880 | $31.19 |
| Editor | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Technical Writer | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,140 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $52,480 | $25.23 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,110 | $31.78 |
| Interior Designer | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Photographer | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $23.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $64,460 a year, or $30.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $104,000 a year. The top 25% earn $85,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,710 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $53,610 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Birmingham, AL?
About 70 writers and authors are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.