Writers and Authors salary in Illinois
Writers and Authors in Illinois earn a median of $68,220 a year ($32.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,400 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $76,910. Illinois ranks 20th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.43 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,830 | $20.11 |
| 25th percentile | $43,440 | $20.88 |
| Median | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| 75th percentile | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,400 | $64.61 |
| Average (mean) | $77,240 | $37.13 |
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 | $5,685 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,842.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,623.85 |
| Weekly | $1,311.92 |
| Hourly | $32.80 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $75,940 | 2,120 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $57,390 | 300 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Technical Writer | $88,700 | $42.65 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,890 | $36.48 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for writers and authors in Illinois is $68,220 a year, or $32.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Illinois earn at least $134,400 a year. The top 25% earn $97,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,830 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $43,440 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Illinois?
About 2,640 writers and authors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.