Writers and Authors Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$50,600
- 25th Percentile — Junior$65,330
- 50th Percentile — Median$85,700
- 75th Percentile — Senior$109,000
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$129,480
Half of Writers and Authors in Washington earn more than $85,700. The top 10% make $129,480 or more, while entry-level workers start around $50,600.
Writers and Authors in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 7th of 43 states for Writers and Authors pay, at $90,740 per year (5.4% above the U.S. average of $86,090).
- 770 people work as Writers and Authors in Washington — 1.6% of all U.S. Writers and Authors jobs.
- Location quotient 0.71: Writers and Authors jobs are less concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,600; the top 10% earn over $129,480.
- Hourly equivalent: $43.62 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $128,890.
- Among creative jobs in Washington, Special Effects Artists and Animators pays the most ($141,450).
Writers and Authors Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Writers and Authors here earn $90,740 on average, placing the state 7th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $90,740 is roughly equivalent to $72,592 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($109,650), California ($106,560), Vermont ($96,260) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- Special Effects Artists and Animators $141,450/yr Washington +55.9% vs this role
- Art Directors $130,550/yr Washington +43.9% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $98,990/yr Washington +9.1% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $95,030/yr Washington +4.7% vs this role
- Fashion Designers $90,130/yr Washington 0.7% vs this role
- Editors $83,960/yr Washington 7.5% vs this role
- Interior Designers $81,360/yr Washington 10.3% vs this role
- Graphic Designers $77,910/yr Washington 14.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Writers and Authors salary in Washington?
The average Writers and Authors salary in Washington is $90,740 per year (median $85,700), which is 5.4% above the national average of $86,090.
How does Washington rank for Writers and Authors pay?
Washington ranks 7th 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 Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Writers and Authors in Washington earn about $50,600 per year and the 25th percentile is $65,330.
How much do Writers and Authors make per hour in Washington?
About $43.62 per hour, based on the $90,740 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Writers and Authors work in Washington?
BLS counts 770 Writers and Authors jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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