Writers and Authors salary in Winston-Salem, NC
Writers and Authors in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median of $61,460 a year ($29.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,930 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 3% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $63,660. There are 0.17 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $67,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Winston-Salem, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| 25th percentile | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Median | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| 75th percentile | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,930 | $48.52 |
| Average (mean) | $67,650 | $32.52 |
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 | $5,121.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,560.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,363.85 |
| Weekly | $1,181.92 |
| Hourly | $29.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Writers and Authors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $84,130 | 130 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,460 | 160 |
| Asheville, NC | $70,280 | 90 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $69,100 | 360 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,720 | 420 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $63,270 | 100 |
| Wilmington, NC | $47,940 | 180 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,300 | 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 |
See Writers and Authors pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Winston-Salem, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| Editor | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Technical Writer | $87,940 | $42.28 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $41,110 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Graphic Designer | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| Photographer | $38,840 | $18.67 |
| Art Director | $84,100 | $40.44 |
| Interior Designer | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $58.88 |
| Floral Designer | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,640 | $38.77 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Winston-Salem, NC
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 Winston-Salem, NC?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $61,460 a year, or $29.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Winston-Salem, NC?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn at least $100,930 a year. The top 25% earn $87,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Winston-Salem, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,450 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $50,960 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Winston-Salem, NC?
About 50 writers and authors are employed in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.