Writers and Authors salary in Washington
Writers and Authors in Washington earn a median of $85,700 a year ($41.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,480 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $76,910. Washington ranks 7th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.22 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $90,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| 25th percentile | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Median | $85,700 | $41.20 |
| 75th percentile | $109,000 | $52.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,480 | $62.25 |
| Average (mean) | $90,740 | $43.62 |
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 | $7,141.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,570.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,296.15 |
| Weekly | $1,648.08 |
| Hourly | $41.20 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $98,730 | 520 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $87,560 | 600 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $62,060 | 60 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Editor | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Technical Writer | $104,070 | $50.03 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $54,760 | $26.33 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $52,590 | $25.28 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,030 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for writers and authors in Washington is $85,700 a year, or $41.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Washington?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Washington earn at least $129,480 a year. The top 25% earn $109,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,600 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $65,330 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Washington?
About 770 writers and authors are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.