Writers and Authors salary in Rhode Island
Writers and Authors in Rhode Island earn a median of $70,190 a year ($33.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,000 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $76,910. Rhode Island ranks 18th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.23 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $82,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| 25th percentile | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| Median | $70,190 | $33.75 |
| 75th percentile | $84,170 | $40.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| Average (mean) | $82,940 | $39.87 |
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 | $5,849.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,924.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,699.62 |
| Weekly | $1,349.81 |
| Hourly | $33.75 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $70,620 | 120 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,540 | $37.28 |
| Editor | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,570 | $35.85 |
| Technical Writer | $102,360 | $49.21 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $92,250 | $44.35 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $53,630 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $78,220 | $37.61 |
| Producers and Directors | $84,250 | $40.51 |
| Interior Designer | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Floral Designer | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Photographer | $37,300 | $17.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for writers and authors in Rhode Island is $70,190 a year, or $33.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Rhode Island earn at least $130,000 a year. The top 25% earn $84,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,060 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $56,180 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Rhode Island?
About 110 writers and authors are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.