BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Writers and Authors in Tennessee

$66,180 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$31.82 per hour

▼ 23.1% below U.S. average30th of 43 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$66,180per year
Median$58,870per year
Hourly$31.82per hour
10th – 90th percentile$38,720 – $100,910per year

Writers and Authors Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,720
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$47,120
  • 50th Percentile — Median$58,870
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$78,900
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$100,910

Half of Writers and Authors in Tennessee earn more than $58,870. The top 10% make $100,910 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,720.

Writers and Authors in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 30th of 43 states for Writers and Authors pay, at $66,180 per year (23.1% below the U.S. average of $86,090).
  • 1,260 people work as Writers and Authors in Tennessee — 2.6% of all U.S. Writers and Authors jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.25: Writers and Authors jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,720; the top 10% earn over $100,910.
  • Hourly equivalent: $31.82 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $128,890.
  • Among creative jobs in Tennessee, Art Directors pays the most ($108,720).

Writers and Authors Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Writers and Authors here earn $66,180 on average, placing the state 30th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $66,180 is roughly equivalent to $75,205 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nebraska ($69,010), West Virginia ($67,860), Wisconsin ($67,210) 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 Tennessee?

The average Writers and Authors salary in Tennessee is $66,180 per year (median $58,870), which is 23.1% below the national average of $86,090.

How does Tennessee rank for Writers and Authors pay?

Tennessee ranks 30th 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 Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Writers and Authors in Tennessee earn about $38,720 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,120.

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

About $31.82 per hour, based on the $66,180 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Writers and Authors work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 1,260 Writers and Authors jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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