Writers and Authors salary in New Jersey
Writers and Authors in New Jersey earn a median of $81,590 a year ($39.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,820 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $76,910. New Jersey ranks 10th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.28 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,770 | $23.93 |
| 25th percentile | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| Median | $81,590 | $39.23 |
| 75th percentile | $103,120 | $49.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,820 | $61.93 |
| Average (mean) | $87,170 | $41.91 |
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 | $6,799.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,399.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,138.08 |
| Weekly | $1,569.04 |
| Hourly | $39.23 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $90,060 | 110 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $84,130 | 560 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $60,700 | 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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Editor | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| Technical Writer | $122,320 | $58.81 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $59,830 | $28.76 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $70,800 | $34.04 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $76,700 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Producers and Directors | $119,840 | $57.62 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Art Director | $129,200 | $62.12 |
| Interior Designer | $74,020 | $35.59 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for writers and authors in New Jersey is $81,590 a year, or $39.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of writers and authors in New Jersey earn at least $128,820 a year. The top 25% earn $103,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,770 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $60,610 or less.
How many writers and authors work in New Jersey?
About 1,180 writers and authors are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.