Writers and Authors salary in Pennsylvania
Writers and Authors in Pennsylvania earn a median of $77,410 a year ($37.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,490 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $76,910. Pennsylvania ranks 12th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.18 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $90,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| 25th percentile | $54,030 | $25.98 |
| Median | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| 75th percentile | $102,480 | $49.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,490 | $85.81 |
| Average (mean) | $90,060 | $43.30 |
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 | $6,450.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,225.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,977.31 |
| Weekly | $1,488.65 |
| Hourly | $37.22 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $84,130 | 560 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $77,740 | 50 |
| Lancaster, PA | $65,660 | 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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $57,460 | $27.62 |
| Editor | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $57,040 | $27.42 |
| Technical Writer | $87,620 | $42.12 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $52,080 | $25.04 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $65,100 | $31.30 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,470 | $33.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,730 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Producers and Directors | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Photographer | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| Floral Designer | $35,920 | $17.27 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for writers and authors in Pennsylvania is $77,410 a year, or $37.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Pennsylvania earn at least $178,490 a year. The top 25% earn $102,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,270 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $54,030 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Pennsylvania?
About 1,080 writers and authors are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.