Salary data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Writer & Author salary in Wisconsin
$64,370
Median annual
$30.95
Median hourly
$67,210
Mean annual
710
Employed
The median annual wage for writers and authors in Wisconsin was $64,370 in May 2025, with an average of $67,210. About 710 people work in this occupation there.
That is 16% below the national median of $76,910. Compared with all occupations in Wisconsin (median $50,270), writers earn 28% more. Its location quotient of 0.78 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $47,410, while the top 10% earned more than $90,880. Many writers are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| 25th | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| Median | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| 75th | $77,220 | $37.13 |
| 90th | $90,880 | $43.69 |
Metro areas in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $68,760 | 150 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $63,910 | 270 |
| Green Bay, WI | $61,500 | 40 |
| Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $61,470 | 40 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.