Estimate · based on BLS national data

Writers and Authors in New York

$118,804 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$57.12 per hour

▲ 38.0% above U.S. average3rd 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$118,804per year
Median$106,136per year
Hourly$57.12per hour
10th – 90th percentile$67,742 – $177,579per year

Writers and Authors Pay Range in New York

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$67,742
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$94,116
  • 50th Percentile — Median$106,136
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$153,459
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$177,579

Half of Writers and Authors in New York earn more than $106,136. The top 10% make $177,579 or more, while entry-level workers start around $67,742.

Writers and Authors in New York: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • New York ranks 3rd of 51 states for Writers and Authors pay, at $118,804 per year (38.0% above the U.S. average of $86,090).
  • 7,480 people work as Writers and Authors in New York — 15.6% of all U.S. Writers and Authors jobs.
  • Location quotient 2.51: Writers and Authors jobs are more concentrated in New York than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $67,742; the top 10% earn over $177,579.
  • Hourly equivalent: $57.12 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $133,440.
  • Among creative jobs in New York, News Analysts Reporters and Journalists pays the most ($251,110).

Writers and Authors Job Market in New York

Key factors affecting compensation

New York's key industries are Finance, Technology, Media, and its job market is rated very strong. Writers and Authors here earn $118,804 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.38 (U.S. = 1.00), a New York salary of $118,804 is roughly equivalent to $86,090 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($133,440), District of Columbia ($128,890), Alaska ($113,639) 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 New York?

The average Writers and Authors salary in New York is $118,804 per year (median $106,136), which is 38.0% above the national average of $86,090.

How does New York rank for Writers and Authors pay?

New York ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($133,440/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Writers and Authors in New York earn about $67,742 per year and the 25th percentile is $94,116.

How much do Writers and Authors make per hour in New York?

About $57.12 per hour, based on the $118,804 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Writers and Authors work in New York?

BLS counts 7,480 Writers and Authors jobs in New York (OEWS May 2025).

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