Writers and Authors salary in Iowa
Writers and Authors in Iowa earn a median of $61,010 a year ($29.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,560 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $76,910. Iowa ranks 31st of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.18 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $62,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| 25th percentile | $50,280 | $24.17 |
| Median | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| 75th percentile | $69,220 | $33.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,560 | $42.58 |
| Average (mean) | $62,780 | $30.18 |
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 | $5,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,542.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,346.54 |
| Weekly | $1,173.27 |
| Hourly | $29.33 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $67,390 | 120 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $63,010 | 90 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,110 | 40 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,000 | 50 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| Editor | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Technical Writer | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $93,810 | $45.10 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Interior Designer | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,420 | $33.85 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for writers and authors in Iowa is $61,010 a year, or $29.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Iowa?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Iowa earn at least $88,560 a year. The top 25% earn $69,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,260 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $50,280 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Iowa?
About 290 writers and authors are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.