Salary data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Writer & Author salary in Washington
$85,700
Median annual
$41.20
Median hourly
$90,740
Mean annual
770
Employed
The median annual wage for writers and authors in Washington was $85,700 in May 2025, with an average of $90,740. About 770 people work in this occupation there.
That is 11% above the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in Washington (median $62,990), writers earn 36% more. Its location quotient of 0.71 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $50,600, while the top 10% earned more than $129,480. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| 25th | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Median | $85,700 | $41.20 |
| 75th | $109,000 | $52.40 |
| 90th | $129,480 | $62.25 |
Metro areas in Washington
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $98,730 | 520 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $62,060 | 60 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.