How much does a writer and author make in California?
$86,480a year
Median yearly pay for writer and authors in California. That is $41.58 an hour or $7,207 a month.
- Hourly
- $41.58
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among states
- 6 of 43
- Jobs in the state
- 8,390
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $56,730Median: $86,480Highest 10%: $193,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $56,730 | $27.27 | |
| 25th | $75,530 | $36.31 | |
| Median | $86,480 | $41.58 | |
| 75th | $127,900 | $61.48 | |
| 90th | $193,100 | $92.83 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $118,800 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $107,700 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $86,340 |
| Oxnard, CA | $82,920 |
| Sacramento, CA | $82,690 |
| San Diego, CA | $82,590 |
| Riverside, CA | $78,990 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $77,250 |
| Fresno, CA | $77,060 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $74,820 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $73,600 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for writer and authors.
| 3. Connecticut | $98,460 |
| 4. Vermont | $94,430 |
| 5. Louisiana | $89,520 |
| 6. California | $86,480 |
| 7. Washington | $85,700 |
| 8. Massachusetts | $85,260 |
| 9. Virginia | $85,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a writer and author make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $41.58 ($86,480 a year).
Do writer and authors make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $86,480 against $76,910 nationally, 12% more.
Where does California rank for writer and author pay?
California ranks 6 of 43 states.
Which city in California pays writer and authors the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $118,800 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.