How much does a writer and author make in Des Moines?
$63,010a year
Median yearly pay for writer and authors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $30.29 an hour or $5,251 a month.
- Hourly
- $30.29
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 86 of 122
- Jobs in the area
- 90
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $52,080Median: $63,010Highest 10%: $95,440
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,080 | $25.04 | |
| 25th | $58,490 | $28.12 | |
| Median | $63,010 | $30.29 | |
| 75th | $74,650 | $35.89 | |
| 90th | $95,440 | $45.88 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for writer and authors.
| Omaha, NE | $67,390 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,000 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Art Director | $90,000 |
| Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner | $82,040 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $77,570 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,660 |
| Technical Writer | $69,450 |
| Editor | $63,720 |
| Producer and Director | $62,370 |
| Music Director and Composer | $61,740 |
| Interior Designer | $57,840 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,520 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a writer and author make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $30.29 ($63,010 a year).
Do writer and authors make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $63,010 against $76,910 nationally, 18% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $61,010, so Des Moines pays 3% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for writer and author pay?
86 of 122 metro areas with data.
How much does a writer and author make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $52,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $95,440 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.