Writers and Authors salary in Charleston, WV
Writers and Authors in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $72,340 a year ($34.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,410 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 12% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $64,410. There are 0.29 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,970, close to the median.
Pay range for writers and authors in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| 25th percentile | $54,330 | $26.12 |
| Median | $72,340 | $34.78 |
| 75th percentile | $72,340 | $34.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,410 | $45.87 |
| Average (mean) | $68,970 | $33.16 |
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 | $6,028.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,014.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,782.31 |
| Weekly | $1,391.15 |
| Hourly | $34.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $108,460 | 2,060 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $54,790 | $26.34 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $45,000 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Floral Designer | $29,190 | $14.03 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Charleston, WV metro area is $72,340 a year, or $34.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $95,410 a year. The top 25% earn $72,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,330 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $54,330 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Charleston, WV?
About 30 writers and authors are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.