Writer & Author salary in Tennessee
The median annual wage for writers and authors in Tennessee was $58,870 in May 2025, with an average of $66,180. About 1,260 people work in this occupation there.
That is 23% below the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in Tennessee (median $47,380), writers earn 24% more. With a location quotient of 1.25, the occupation is more concentrated here than in the US as a whole.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,720, while the top 10% earned more than $100,910. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,720 | $18.62 |
| 25th | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Median | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| 75th | $78,900 | $37.94 |
| 90th | $100,910 | $48.51 |
Metro areas in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $63,270 | 520 |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,080 | 180 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $61,400 | 110 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $58,480 | 170 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $57,600 | 40 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.