Writers and Authors salary in Cleveland, OH
Writers and Authors in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $60,880 a year ($29.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,790 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 8% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $65,930. There are 0.16 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $63,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| 25th percentile | $48,370 | $23.25 |
| Median | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| 75th percentile | $76,800 | $36.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,790 | $44.13 |
| Average (mean) | $63,740 | $30.64 |
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 | $5,073.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,536.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,341.54 |
| Weekly | $1,170.77 |
| Hourly | $29.27 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $76,490 | 240 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $64,690 | 60 |
| Toledo, OH | $63,090 | 30 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $62,440 | 170 |
| Akron, OH | $59,900 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,610 | $32.02 |
| Editor | $73,850 | $35.51 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,660 | $23.40 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| Technical Writer | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $65,410 | $31.45 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $66,220 | $31.84 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,500 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Interior Designer | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Producers and Directors | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $35.79 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,670 | $25.32 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $60,880 a year, or $29.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $91,790 a year. The top 25% earn $76,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,200 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $48,370 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Cleveland, OH?
About 170 writers and authors are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.