Writer & Author salary in Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area
The median annual wage for writers and authors in Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area was $60,960 in May 2025, with an average of $64,600. About 50 people work in this occupation there.
That is 21% below the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area (median $42,990), writers earn 42% more. Its location quotient of 0.69 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $36,580, while the top 10% earned more than $97,230. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| 25th | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| Median | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| 75th | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| 90th | $97,230 | $46.75 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.