Writers and Authors salary in Wisconsin
Writers and Authors in Wisconsin earn a median of $64,370 a year ($30.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,880 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $76,910. Wisconsin ranks 28th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.24 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $67,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| 25th percentile | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| Median | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| 75th percentile | $77,220 | $37.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,880 | $43.69 |
| Average (mean) | $67,210 | $32.31 |
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 | $5,364.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,682.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,475.77 |
| Weekly | $1,237.88 |
| Hourly | $30.95 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $76,470 | 570 |
| Madison, WI | $68,760 | 150 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $63,910 | 270 |
| Green Bay, WI | $61,500 | 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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Editor | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Technical Writer | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $57,530 | $27.66 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,780 | $33.55 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,800 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Interior Designer | $62,740 | $30.17 |
| Floral Designer | $35,010 | $16.83 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for writers and authors in Wisconsin is $64,370 a year, or $30.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Wisconsin earn at least $90,880 a year. The top 25% earn $77,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,410 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $51,710 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Wisconsin?
About 710 writers and authors are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.