Writers and Authors salary in Columbia, SC
Writers and Authors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $41,600 a year ($20.00 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $37,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,400 for the top 10%. That is 46% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 20% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $51,920. The average (mean) salary is $48,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Median | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 75th percentile | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Average (mean) | $48,520 | $23.33 |
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 | $3,466.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,733.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,600 |
| Weekly | $800 |
| Hourly | $20.00 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $78,000 | 130 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,720 | 420 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $49,980 | 130 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,200 | $25.09 |
| Technical Writer | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Editor | $67,530 | $32.46 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Producers and Directors | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Art Director | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Photographer | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Interior Designer | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Floral Designer | $27,830 | $13.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Columbia, SC metro area is $41,600 a year, or $20.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $62,400 a year. The top 25% earn $46,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,260 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $41,600 or less.