Writers and Authors salary in Minnesota
Writers and Authors in Minnesota earn a median of $72,810 a year ($35.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,890 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $76,910. Minnesota ranks 16th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.24 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $76,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,700 | $24.38 |
| 25th percentile | $61,970 | $29.79 |
| Median | $72,810 | $35.01 |
| 75th percentile | $86,390 | $41.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,890 | $49.95 |
| Average (mean) | $76,110 | $36.59 |
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 | $6,067.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,033.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,800.38 |
| Weekly | $1,400.19 |
| Hourly | $35.01 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $76,470 | 570 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $50,860 | 40 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,620 | $32.99 |
| Editor | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $66,410 | $31.93 |
| Technical Writer | $83,270 | $40.03 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $43,530 | $20.93 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $83,680 | $40.23 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $71,090 | $34.18 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,050 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,360 | $36.71 |
| Interior Designer | $73,270 | $35.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,800 | $25.86 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for writers and authors in Minnesota is $72,810 a year, or $35.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Minnesota earn at least $103,890 a year. The top 25% earn $86,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,700 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $61,970 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Minnesota?
About 720 writers and authors are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.