Writer & Author salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
The median annual wage for writers and authors in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA was $78,990 in May 2025, with an average of $88,320. About 190 people work in this occupation there.
That is 3% above the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (median $48,400), writers earn 63% more. Its location quotient of 0.36 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,940, while the top 10% earned more than $136,490. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,940 | $18.72 |
| 25th | $59,490 | $28.60 |
| Median | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| 75th | $110,850 | $53.29 |
| 90th | $136,490 | $65.62 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.