Writer & Author salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
The median annual wage for writers and authors in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ was $58,870 in May 2025, with an average of $65,580. About 420 people work in this occupation there.
That is 23% below the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ (median $51,380), writers earn 15% more. Its location quotient of 0.57 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $45,200, while the top 10% earned more than $90,980. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| 25th | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Median | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| 75th | $76,270 | $36.67 |
| 90th | $90,980 | $43.74 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.