How much does a writer and author make in Chicago?
$75,940a year
Median yearly pay for writer and authors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $36.51 an hour or $6,328 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.51
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 41 of 122
- Jobs in the area
- 2,120
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $43,440Median: $75,940Highest 10%: $134,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,440 | $20.88 | |
| 25th | $49,230 | $23.67 | |
| Median | $75,940 | $36.51 | |
| 75th | $99,990 | $48.07 | |
| 90th | $134,700 | $64.76 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for writer and authors.
| St. Louis, MO | $57,390 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $113,000 |
| Musician and Singer | $110,600 |
| Art Director | $104,600 |
| Camera Operator | $102,400 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 |
| Technical Writer | $89,960 |
| Media and Communication Worker | $89,620 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $85,400 |
| Producer and Director | $85,040 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $83,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a writer and author make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $36.51 ($75,940 a year).
Do writer and authors make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $75,940 against $76,910 nationally, 1% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $68,220, so Chicago pays 11% more.
Where does Chicago rank for writer and author pay?
41 of 122 metro areas with data.
How much does a writer and author make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $43,440 or less a year; the top 10% make $134,700 or more.
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.