Writers and Authors salary in Indiana
Writers and Authors in Indiana earn a median of $75,820 a year ($36.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,640 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $76,910. Indiana ranks 14th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.14 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $85,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,640 | $24.83 |
| 25th percentile | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| Median | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| 75th percentile | $90,590 | $43.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,640 | $61.84 |
| Average (mean) | $85,430 | $41.07 |
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 | $6,318.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,159.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,916.15 |
| Weekly | $1,458.08 |
| Hourly | $36.45 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $75,940 | 2,120 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $63,640 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $62,440 | 170 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $52,520 | 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 |
Related jobs in Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $54,740 | $26.32 |
| Editor | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| Technical Writer | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $34,350 | $16.51 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,480 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $55,480 | $26.67 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,510 | $17.56 |
| Producers and Directors | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,870 | $23.98 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,040 | $42.33 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for writers and authors in Indiana is $75,820 a year, or $36.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Indiana?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Indiana earn at least $128,640 a year. The top 25% earn $90,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,640 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $59,080 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Indiana?
About 450 writers and authors are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.