Writers and Authors salary in Colorado
Writers and Authors in Colorado earn a median of $76,830 a year ($36.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,630 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $76,910. Colorado ranks 13th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.45 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| 25th percentile | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| Median | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| 75th percentile | $95,420 | $45.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,630 | $63.76 |
| Average (mean) | $81,030 | $38.96 |
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 | $6,402.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,201.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,955 |
| Weekly | $1,477.50 |
| Hourly | $36.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Writers and Authors salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $102,570 | n/a |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $83,770 | 130 |
| Boulder, CO | $83,540 | 130 |
| Greeley, CO | $82,060 | 40 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $69,100 | 860 |
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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,680 | $38.79 |
| Editor | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| Technical Writer | $100,610 | $48.37 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $71,790 | $34.51 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,770 | $29.21 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $50,660 | $24.35 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,330 | $31.89 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,110 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Interior Designer | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| Producers and Directors | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Photographer | $47,070 | $22.63 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for writers and authors in Colorado is $76,830 a year, or $36.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Colorado?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Colorado earn at least $132,630 a year. The top 25% earn $95,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,810 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $51,710 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Colorado?
About 1,300 writers and authors are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.