Writers and Authors Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$44,190
- 25th Percentile — Junior$64,730
- 50th Percentile — Median$85,000
- 75th Percentile — Senior$104,000
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$131,040
Half of Writers and Authors in Virginia earn more than $85,000. The top 10% make $131,040 or more, while entry-level workers start around $44,190.
Writers and Authors in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 9th of 43 states for Writers and Authors pay, at $88,260 per year (2.5% above the U.S. average of $86,090).
- 1,530 people work as Writers and Authors in Virginia — 3.2% of all U.S. Writers and Authors jobs.
- Location quotient 1.21: Writers and Authors jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,190; the top 10% earn over $131,040.
- Hourly equivalent: $42.43 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $128,890.
- Among creative jobs in Virginia, Art Directors pays the most ($107,540).
Writers and Authors Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Writers and Authors here earn $88,260 on average, placing the state 9th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $88,260 is roughly equivalent to $80,236 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Vermont ($96,260), Massachusetts ($94,580), Washington ($90,740) 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Art Directors $107,540/yr Virginia +21.8% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $92,860/yr Virginia +5.2% vs this role
- Special Effects Artists and Animators $89,750/yr Virginia +1.7% vs this role
- Editors $89,740/yr Virginia +1.7% vs this role
- Fashion Designers $87,480/yr Virginia 0.9% vs this role
- News Analysts Reporters and Journalists $76,820/yr Virginia 13.0% vs this role
- Graphic Designers $76,670/yr Virginia 13.1% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $74,770/yr Virginia 15.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Writers and Authors salary in Virginia?
The average Writers and Authors salary in Virginia is $88,260 per year (median $85,000), which is 2.5% above the national average of $86,090.
How does Virginia rank for Writers and Authors pay?
Virginia ranks 9th 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 Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Writers and Authors in Virginia earn about $44,190 per year and the 25th percentile is $64,730.
How much do Writers and Authors make per hour in Virginia?
About $42.43 per hour, based on the $88,260 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Writers and Authors work in Virginia?
BLS counts 1,530 Writers and Authors jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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