Writers and Authors salary in Maryland
Writers and Authors in Maryland earn a median of $104,330 a year ($50.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,050 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $76,910. Maryland ranks 2nd of 43 states for writers and authors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.20 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $109,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| 25th percentile | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Median | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| 75th percentile | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,050 | $79.35 |
| Average (mean) | $109,650 | $52.72 |
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 | $8,694.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,347.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,012.69 |
| Weekly | $2,006.35 |
| Hourly | $50.16 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $108,460 | 2,060 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $87,020 | 240 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $84,130 | 560 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Editor | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Technical Writer | $100,990 | $48.55 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $88,550 | $42.57 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $63,680 | $30.61 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,590 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $70,040 | $33.67 |
| Producers and Directors | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Interior Designer | $65,070 | $31.29 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for writers and authors in Maryland is $104,330 a year, or $50.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Maryland?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Maryland earn at least $165,050 a year. The top 25% earn $140,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,560 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $77,020 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Maryland?
About 540 writers and authors are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.