Writers and Authors salary in Santa Maria, CA
The median writers and authors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA earns $74,820 a year, 3% below the US median. After tax that is roughly $4,686 a month.
- 10th percentile
- $44,230
- 25th percentile
- $51,730
- Median percentile
- $74,820
- 75th percentile
- $100,740
- 90th percentile
- $139,240
Based on 40 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.
What you keep
$56,228 take-home a year
| Gross pay | $74,820 |
| Federal income tax | −$7,630 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$5,724 |
| California income tax (approx.) | −$5,237 |
| Monthly take-home | $4,686 |
| Every two weeks | $2,163 |
Does it go far here?
$68,770Median pay in Santa Maria, CA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 108.8 vs 100).
45%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($2,131 a month, Census ACS).
Top-paying jobs in Santa Maria, CA
| Job | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $207,760 |
| Lawyers | $170,970 |
| Managers, All Other | $167,090 |
| Financial Managers | $164,270 |
| Software Developers | $158,290 |
| Registered Nurses | $137,360 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $130,290 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $128,390 |
All writers and authors salaries · Take-home pay in California