Writer & Author salary in West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area
The median annual wage for writers and authors in West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area was $52,000 in May 2025, with an average of $53,690. About 30 people work in this occupation there.
That is 32% below the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area (median $46,220), writers earn 13% more. Its location quotient of 0.60 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35,360, while the top 10% earned more than $62,060. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| 25th | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Median | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 75th | $59,200 | $28.46 |
| 90th | $62,060 | $29.84 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.