Salary data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Writer & Author salary in South Carolina
$51,920
Median annual
$24.96
Median hourly
$58,440
Mean annual
520
Employed
The median annual wage for writers and authors in South Carolina was $51,920 in May 2025, with an average of $58,440. About 520 people work in this occupation there.
That is 32% below the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in South Carolina (median $46,490), writers earn 12% more. Its location quotient of 0.74 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,210, while the top 10% earned more than $91,140. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| 25th | $41,610 | $20.00 |
| Median | $51,920 | $24.96 |
| 75th | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| 90th | $91,140 | $43.82 |
Metro areas in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $78,000 | 130 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $49,980 | 130 |
| Columbia, SC | $41,600 | — |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.