Writers and Authors salary in Virginia
Writers and Authors in Virginia earn a median of $85,000 a year ($40.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,040 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $76,910. Virginia ranks 9th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.37 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,190 | $21.25 |
| 25th percentile | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Median | $85,000 | $40.87 |
| 75th percentile | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,040 | $63.00 |
| Average (mean) | $88,260 | $42.43 |
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 | $7,083.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,541.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,269.23 |
| Weekly | $1,634.62 |
| Hourly | $40.87 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $108,460 | 2,060 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $76,990 | 70 |
| Richmond, VA | $74,300 | 230 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,460 | 160 |
| 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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Editor | $80,590 | $38.74 |
| Technical Writer | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $55,210 | $26.54 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,420 | $33.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Photographer | $46,550 | $22.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for writers and authors in Virginia is $85,000 a year, or $40.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Virginia?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Virginia earn at least $131,040 a year. The top 25% earn $104,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,190 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $64,730 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Virginia?
About 1,530 writers and authors are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.