Writers and Authors salary in Massachusetts
Writers and Authors in Massachusetts earn a median of $85,260 a year ($40.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,950 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $76,910. Massachusetts ranks 8th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.37 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,910 | $28.32 |
| 25th percentile | $67,770 | $32.58 |
| Median | $85,260 | $40.99 |
| 75th percentile | $108,030 | $51.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,950 | $66.80 |
| Average (mean) | $94,580 | $45.47 |
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 | $7,105 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,552.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,279.23 |
| Weekly | $1,639.62 |
| Hourly | $40.99 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $85,260 | 1,130 |
| Worcester, MA | $80,490 | 80 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $70,620 | 120 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $65,290 | 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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Editor | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Technical Writer | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $79,940 | $38.44 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $63,940 | $30.74 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $55,130 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $76,710 | $36.88 |
| Producers and Directors | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Art Director | $149,320 | $71.79 |
| Interior Designer | $80,110 | $38.52 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $101,720 | $48.90 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for writers and authors in Massachusetts is $85,260 a year, or $40.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Massachusetts earn at least $138,950 a year. The top 25% earn $108,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,910 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $67,770 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Massachusetts?
About 1,350 writers and authors are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.