Writers and Authors salary in Charlottesville, VA
Writers and Authors in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $76,990 a year ($37.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,400 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 9% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $85,000. There are 0.57 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,040 | $21.65 |
| 25th percentile | $61,060 | $29.36 |
| Median | $76,990 | $37.01 |
| 75th percentile | $96,840 | $46.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,400 | $54.04 |
| Average (mean) | $80,940 | $38.92 |
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 | $6,415.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,207.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,961.15 |
| Weekly | $1,480.58 |
| Hourly | $37.01 |
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 |
| Richmond, VA | $74,300 | 230 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,460 | 160 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $57,600 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Editor | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $65,910 | $31.69 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Technical Writer | $93,530 | $44.97 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $52,450 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,540 | $18.53 |
| Producers and Directors | $54,140 | $26.03 |
| Photographer | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Interior Designer | $59,290 | $28.51 |
| Floral Designer | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $33,340 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, VA
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 Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $76,990 a year, or $37.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $112,400 a year. The top 25% earn $96,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,040 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $61,060 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Charlottesville, VA?
About 70 writers and authors are employed in the Charlottesville, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.