Salary data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Writer & Author salary in West Virginia
$64,410
Median annual
$30.97
Median hourly
$67,860
Mean annual
110
Employed
In West Virginia, a typical writer earned $64,410 a year in May 2025 (median), with an average of $67,860. About 110 people work in this occupation there.
That is 16% below the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in West Virginia (median $45,300), writers earn 42% more. Its location quotient of 0.52 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $24,340, while the top 10% earned more than $103,380. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,340 | $11.70 |
| 25th | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Median | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| 75th | $72,340 | $34.78 |
| 90th | $103,380 | $49.70 |
Metro areas in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston, WV | $72,340 | 30 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.