Writers and Authors salary in North Dakota
Writers and Authors in North Dakota earn a median of $50,860 a year ($24.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,920 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $76,910. North Dakota ranks 40th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.19 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $57,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| 25th percentile | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| Median | $50,860 | $24.45 |
| 75th percentile | $65,590 | $31.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,920 | $40.35 |
| Average (mean) | $57,180 | $27.49 |
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 | $4,238.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,119.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,956.15 |
| Weekly | $978.08 |
| Hourly | $24.45 |
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 North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,280 | $33.79 |
| Editor | $60,520 | $29.10 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Technical Writer | $72,990 | $35.09 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $70,540 | $33.91 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,100 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $56,470 | $27.15 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,080 | $20.23 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $63,920 | — |
| Floral Designer | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| Producers and Directors | $57,870 | $27.82 |
| Interior Designer | $59,190 | $28.46 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for writers and authors in North Dakota is $50,860 a year, or $24.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of writers and authors in North Dakota earn at least $83,920 a year. The top 25% earn $65,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,000 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $47,480 or less.
How many writers and authors work in North Dakota?
About 80 writers and authors are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.