Writer & Author salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
The median annual wage for writers and authors in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was $47,300 in May 2025, with an average of $57,270. About 40 people work in this occupation there.
That is 38% below the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC (median $45,220), writers earn 5% more. Its location quotient of 0.79 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $39,990, while the top 10% earned more than $73,380. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,990 | $19.23 |
| 25th | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Median | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| 75th | $59,190 | $28.46 |
| 90th | $73,380 | $35.28 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.