Writers and Authors salary in South Carolina
Writers and Authors in South Carolina earn a median of $51,920 a year ($24.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,140 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $76,910. South Carolina ranks 39th 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 $58,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| 25th percentile | $41,610 | $20.00 |
| Median | $51,920 | $24.96 |
| 75th percentile | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,140 | $43.82 |
| Average (mean) | $58,440 | $28.10 |
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 | $4,326.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,163.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,996.92 |
| Weekly | $998.46 |
| Hourly | $24.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Writers and Authors salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $78,000 | 130 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,720 | 420 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $49,980 | 130 |
| Columbia, SC | $41,600 | n/a |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| Technical Writer | $82,540 | $39.68 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,860 | $24.45 |
| Editor | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $30,960 | $14.88 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,950 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Producers and Directors | $56,030 | $26.94 |
| Interior Designer | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| Photographer | $37,890 | $18.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for writers and authors in South Carolina is $51,920 a year, or $24.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of writers and authors in South Carolina earn at least $91,140 a year. The top 25% earn $76,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,210 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $41,610 or less.
How many writers and authors work in South Carolina?
About 520 writers and authors are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.