Writers and Authors Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$74,990
- 25th Percentile — Junior$100,320
- 50th Percentile — Median$129,300
- 75th Percentile — Senior$158,020
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$172,480
Half of Writers and Authors in District of Columbia earn more than $129,300. The top 10% make $172,480 or more, while entry-level workers start around $74,990.
Writers and Authors in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 1st of 43 states for Writers and Authors pay, at $128,890 per year (49.7% above the U.S. average of $86,090).
- 1,050 people work as Writers and Authors in District of Columbia — 2.2% of all U.S. Writers and Authors jobs.
- Location quotient 4.85: Writers and Authors jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $74,990; the top 10% earn over $172,480.
- Hourly equivalent: $61.97 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among creative jobs in District of Columbia, News Analysts Reporters and Journalists pays the most ($174,360).
Writers and Authors Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Writers and Authors here earn $128,890 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $128,890 is roughly equivalent to $84,796 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Connecticut ($110,420), Maryland ($109,650), California ($106,560) are the closest alternatives for Writers and Authors weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Creative Jobs in District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- News Analysts Reporters and Journalists $174,360/yr District of Columbia +35.3% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $120,200/yr District of Columbia 6.7% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $115,040/yr District of Columbia 10.7% vs this role
- Editors $109,290/yr District of Columbia 15.2% vs this role
- Photographers $104,630/yr District of Columbia 18.8% vs this role
- Interior Designers $102,040/yr District of Columbia 20.8% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $100,990/yr District of Columbia 21.6% vs this role
- Graphic Designers $94,630/yr District of Columbia 26.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Writers and Authors salary in District of Columbia?
The average Writers and Authors salary in District of Columbia is $128,890 per year (median $129,300), which is 49.7% above the national average of $86,090.
How does District of Columbia rank for Writers and Authors pay?
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($128,890/yr).
How much do entry-level Writers and Authors make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Writers and Authors in District of Columbia earn about $74,990 per year and the 25th percentile is $100,320.
How much do Writers and Authors make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $61.97 per hour, based on the $128,890 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Writers and Authors work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 1,050 Writers and Authors jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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