Writer & Author salary in Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area
The median annual wage for writers and authors in Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area was $60,990 in May 2025, with an average of $56,460. About 40 people work in this occupation there.
That is 21% below the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area (median $47,190), writers earn 29% 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 $33,640, while the top 10% earned more than $77,190. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,640 | $16.18 |
| 25th | $46,640 | $22.43 |
| Median | $60,990 | $29.32 |
| 75th | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| 90th | $77,190 | $37.11 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.