How much does a writer and author make in Los Angeles?
$77,250a year
Median yearly pay for writer and authors in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area. That is $37.14 an hour or $6,438 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.14
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 32 of 122
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $60,740Median: $77,250Highest 10%: $162,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,740 | $29.20 | |
| 25th | $75,270 | $36.19 | |
| Median | $77,250 | $37.14 | |
| 75th | $109,800 | $52.76 | |
| 90th | $162,000 | $77.90 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for writer and authors.
| San Jose, CA | $118,800 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $107,700 |
| Oxnard, CA | $82,920 |
| Sacramento, CA | $82,690 |
| San Diego, CA | $82,590 |
| Riverside, CA | $78,990 |
| Fresno, CA | $77,060 |
Related jobs in Los Angeles
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Art Director | $137,600 |
| Producer and Director | $131,600 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $124,600 |
| Actor | $115,000 |
| Musician and Singer | $110,600 |
| Camera Operator | $107,600 |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $106,900 |
| Lighting Technician | $105,000 |
| Technical Writer | $104,000 |
| Media and Communication Worker | $103,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a writer and author make an hour in Los Angeles?
The median hourly pay in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $37.14 ($77,250 a year).
Do writer and authors make more in Los Angeles than the national average?
Yes: $77,250 against $76,910 nationally, 0% more.
How does Los Angeles compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $86,480, so Los Angeles pays 11% less.
Where does Los Angeles rank for writer and author pay?
32 of 122 metro areas with data.
How much does a writer and author make starting out in Los Angeles?
The lowest-paid 10% make $60,740 or less a year; the top 10% make $162,000 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.