Highest-paying states for writers and authors
District of Columbia leads at $129,300 a year. Pay is not adjusted for local prices; see each page for the cost-of-living view.
| Place | Median | 25th–75th |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $129,300 | $100,320–$158,020 |
| Maryland | $104,330 | $77,020–$140,670 |
| Connecticut | $98,460 | $73,610–$129,260 |
| Vermont | $94,430 | $79,920–$107,590 |
| Louisiana | $89,520 | $55,860–$105,970 |
| California | $86,480 | $75,530–$127,870 |
| Washington | $85,700 | $65,330–$109,000 |
| Massachusetts | $85,260 | $67,770–$108,030 |
| Virginia | $85,000 | $64,730–$104,000 |
| New Jersey | $81,590 | $60,610–$103,120 |
| Oregon | $80,540 | $52,620–$104,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,410 | $54,030–$102,480 |
| Colorado | $76,830 | $51,710–$95,420 |
| Indiana | $75,820 | $59,080–$90,590 |
| Georgia | $74,710 | $58,700–$99,260 |
| Minnesota | $72,810 | $61,970–$86,390 |
| New Hampshire | $71,830 | $50,750–$98,550 |
| Rhode Island | $70,190 | $56,180–$84,170 |
| Texas | $69,990 | $53,950–$96,260 |
| Illinois | $68,220 | $43,440–$97,280 |
| Florida | $68,080 | $47,410–$93,100 |
| Alabama | $66,950 | $51,840–$93,550 |
| Ohio | $65,930 | $55,680–$81,060 |
| Kansas | $65,840 | $43,740–$72,700 |
| Nebraska | $65,470 | $55,290–$77,260 |
| Utah | $64,530 | $53,800–$86,240 |
| West Virginia | $64,410 | $47,530–$72,340 |
| Wisconsin | $64,370 | $51,710–$77,220 |
| Nevada | $63,910 | $48,130–$74,940 |
| North Carolina | $63,660 | $47,940–$83,360 |
| Iowa | $61,010 | $50,280–$69,220 |
| Tennessee | $58,870 | $47,120–$78,900 |
| Oklahoma | $58,770 | $43,640–$76,950 |
| Missouri | $58,140 | $48,130–$77,570 |
| South Dakota | $56,700 | $54,080–$59,710 |
| Idaho | $56,360 | $48,770–$69,120 |
| Arizona | $55,990 | $47,340–$74,570 |
| Mississippi | $54,180 | $41,600–$63,770 |
| South Carolina | $51,920 | $41,610–$76,330 |
| North Dakota | $50,860 | $47,480–$65,590 |
| Kentucky | $48,780 | $40,760–$64,550 |
| Arkansas | $47,970 | $39,150–$62,790 |
Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025.