Estimate · based on BLS national data

Writers and Authors in Montana

$81,786 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$39.32 per hour

▼ 5.0% below U.S. average21st of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$81,786per year
Median$73,064per year
Hourly$39.32per hour
10th – 90th percentile$46,633 – $122,246per year

Writers and Authors Pay Range in Montana

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$46,633
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$64,790
  • 50th Percentile — Median$73,064
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$105,641
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$122,246

Half of Writers and Authors in Montana earn more than $73,064. The top 10% make $122,246 or more, while entry-level workers start around $46,633.

Writers and Authors in Montana: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • Montana ranks 21st of 51 states for Writers and Authors pay, at $81,786 per year (5.0% below the U.S. average of $86,090).
  • 90 people work as Writers and Authors in Montana — 0.2% of all U.S. Writers and Authors jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.56: Writers and Authors jobs are less concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,633; the top 10% earn over $122,246.
  • Hourly equivalent: $39.32 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $133,440.
  • Among creative jobs in Montana, Special Effects Artists and Animators pays the most ($107,226).

Writers and Authors Job Market in Montana

Key factors affecting compensation

Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Writers and Authors here earn $81,786 on average, placing the state 21st nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $81,786 is roughly equivalent to $86,091 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Indiana ($85,430), Georgia ($83,270), Rhode Island ($82,940) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Writers and Authors salary in Montana?

The average Writers and Authors salary in Montana is $81,786 per year (median $73,064), which is 5.0% below the national average of $86,090.

How does Montana rank for Writers and Authors pay?

Montana ranks 21st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($133,440/yr).

How much do entry-level Writers and Authors make in Montana?

The lowest-paid 10% of Writers and Authors in Montana earn about $46,633 per year and the 25th percentile is $64,790.

How much do Writers and Authors make per hour in Montana?

About $39.32 per hour, based on the $81,786 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Writers and Authors work in Montana?

BLS counts 90 Writers and Authors jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).

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