Writer & Author salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, a typical writer earned $63,010 a year in May 2025 (median), with an average of $67,610. About 90 people work in this occupation there.
That is 18% below the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA (median $51,820), writers earn 22% more. Its location quotient of 0.71 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $52,080, while the top 10% earned more than $95,440. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,080 | $25.04 |
| 25th | $58,490 | $28.12 |
| Median | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| 75th | $74,650 | $35.89 |
| 90th | $95,440 | $45.89 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.