Writers and Authors salary in Louisiana
Writers and Authors in Louisiana earn a median of $89,520 a year ($43.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,810 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $76,910. Louisiana ranks 5th of 43 states for writers and authors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.25 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,560, close to the median.
Pay range for writers and authors in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| 25th percentile | $55,860 | $26.86 |
| Median | $89,520 | $43.04 |
| 75th percentile | $105,970 | $50.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,810 | $55.20 |
| Average (mean) | $82,560 | $39.69 |
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 | $7,460 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,730 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,443.08 |
| Weekly | $1,721.54 |
| Hourly | $43.04 |
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 Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $79,020 | 120 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $76,000 | 90 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Editor | $58,860 | $28.30 |
| Technical Writer | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $33,020 | $15.87 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $60,960 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Graphic Designer | $49,910 | $23.99 |
| Producers and Directors | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $44,480 | $21.38 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $27.96 |
| Photographer | $36,830 | $17.71 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for writers and authors in Louisiana is $89,520 a year, or $43.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Louisiana earn at least $114,810 a year. The top 25% earn $105,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,740 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $55,860 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Louisiana?
About 480 writers and authors are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.