Writers and Authors salary in Texas
Writers and Authors in Texas earn a median of $69,990 a year ($33.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,240 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $76,910. Texas ranks 19th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.17 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $81,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| 25th percentile | $53,950 | $25.94 |
| Median | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| 75th percentile | $96,260 | $46.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,240 | $60.21 |
| Average (mean) | $81,210 | $39.04 |
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 | $5,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,916.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,691.92 |
| Weekly | $1,345.96 |
| Hourly | $33.65 |
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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $76,120 | 400 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $75,380 | 420 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $74,030 | 130 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $64,520 | 850 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Editor | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| Technical Writer | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,470 | $23.31 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $110,080 | $52.92 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $61,290 | $29.46 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,510 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Producers and Directors | $71,710 | $34.48 |
| Interior Designer | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Photographer | $41,280 | $19.85 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for writers and authors in Texas is $69,990 a year, or $33.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Texas?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Texas earn at least $125,240 a year. The top 25% earn $96,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,070 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $53,950 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Texas?
About 2,320 writers and authors are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.