Salary data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Writer & Author salary in Alabama
$66,950
Median annual
$32.19
Median hourly
$72,720
Mean annual
180
Employed
The median annual wage for writers and authors in Alabama was $66,950 in May 2025, with an average of $72,720. About 180 people work in this occupation there.
That is 13% below the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in Alabama (median $45,670), writers earn 47% more. Its location quotient of 0.28 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $39,830, while the top 10% earned more than $115,210. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,830 | $19.15 |
| 25th | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Median | $66,950 | $32.19 |
| 75th | $93,550 | $44.98 |
| 90th | $115,210 | $55.39 |
Metro areas in Alabama
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL | $76,710 | 30 |
| Birmingham, AL | $64,460 | 70 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.