Writers and Authors salary in Tennessee
Writers and Authors in Tennessee earn a median of $58,870 a year ($28.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,910 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $76,910. Tennessee ranks 32nd of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.39 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,720 | $18.62 |
| 25th percentile | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Median | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| 75th percentile | $78,900 | $37.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,910 | $48.51 |
| Average (mean) | $66,180 | $31.82 |
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 | $4,905.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,452.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,264.23 |
| Weekly | $1,132.12 |
| Hourly | $28.30 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $63,270 | 520 |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,080 | 180 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $61,400 | 110 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $58,480 | 170 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $57,600 | 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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Editor | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,390 | $29.99 |
| Technical Writer | $79,550 | $38.24 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,780 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| Producers and Directors | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,970 | $24.02 |
| Interior Designer | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Art Director | $89,860 | $43.20 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for writers and authors in Tennessee is $58,870 a year, or $28.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Tennessee earn at least $100,910 a year. The top 25% earn $78,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,720 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $47,120 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Tennessee?
About 1,260 writers and authors are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.