Writers and Authors salary in Columbus, OH
Writers and Authors in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $76,490 a year ($36.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,500 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 16% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $65,930. There are 0.21 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $76,250, close to the median.
Pay range for writers and authors in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,470 | $26.19 |
| 25th percentile | $62,140 | $29.88 |
| Median | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| 75th percentile | $83,260 | $40.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| Average (mean) | $76,250 | $36.66 |
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 | $6,374.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,187.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,941.92 |
| Weekly | $1,470.96 |
| Hourly | $36.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $64,690 | 60 |
| Toledo, OH | $63,090 | 30 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $62,440 | 170 |
| Cleveland, OH | $60,880 | 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 Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,280 | $35.23 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,380 | $26.62 |
| Editor | $77,810 | $37.41 |
| Technical Writer | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,810 | $21.55 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $67,330 | $32.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,490 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Interior Designer | $62,180 | $29.89 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,930 | $36.99 |
| Floral Designer | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Photographer | $41,390 | $19.90 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Columbus, OH metro area is $76,490 a year, or $36.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $104,500 a year. The top 25% earn $83,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,470 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $62,140 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Columbus, OH?
About 240 writers and authors are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.