How much does a writer and author make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for writer and authors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $52.14 an hour or $9,038 a month.
- Hourly
- $52.14
- Vs. national median
- +41%
- Rank among cities
- 3 of 122
- Jobs in the area
- 2,060
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $69,090 | $33.22 | |
| 25th | $83,200 | $40.00 | |
| Median | $108,500 | $52.14 | |
| 75th | $145,700 | $70.04 | |
| 90th | $171,400 | $82.41 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for writer and authors.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Musician and Singer | $133,600 |
| Artist and Related Worker | $125,100 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $121,700 |
| Art Director | $106,000 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,700 |
| News Analyst | $101,000 |
| Producer and Director | $100,300 |
| Technical Writer | $99,910 |
| Interpreter and Translator | $94,510 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $92,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a writer and author make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $52.14 ($108,500 a year).
Do writer and authors make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $108,500 against $76,910 nationally, 41% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $129,300, so Washington pays 16% less.
Where does Washington rank for writer and author pay?
3 of 122 metro areas with data.
How much does a writer and author make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $69,090 or less a year; the top 10% make $171,400 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.