In May 2023, median annual earnings for all writers and authors were $73,690 a year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $40,900, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $148,240 or more. Fifty percent of writers earned between $52,660 and $100,990. Writers who worked for newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers earned mean annual salaries of $73,740. Independent writers, artists, and performers earned average salaries of $108,620.
In addition to their salaries, many writers earn additional income from freelance work. Part-time freelancers may earn from $5,000 to $25,000 a year. Freelance earnings vary widely. Full-time established freelance writers may earn more than $75,000 a year.
Benefits for full-time workers include vacation and sick time, health insurance, sometimes dental coverage, and pension or 401(k) plans. Self-employed writers must provide their own benefits.
- Art Directors
- Bloggers
- Book Conservators
- Book Editors
- Cartoonists
- Columnists
- Comic Book Writers
- Copy Editors
- Copywriters
- Desktop Publishing Specialists
- Editorial Assistants
- Editorial Research Assistants
- Editors
- Fashion Illustrators
- Fashion Photographers
- Fashion Stylists
- Fashion Writers and Editors
- Film and Television Producers
- Food Photographers
- Food Writers and Editors
- Foreign Correspondents
- Grant Coordinators and Writers
- Graphic Designers
- Greeting Card Designers and Writers
- Illustrators
- Indexers
- Intellectual Property Lawyers
- Interpreters
- Journalism Teachers
- Lexicographers
- Literary Agents
- Magazine Editors
- Music Journalists
- News Anchors
- Newspaper Editors
- Online Journalists
- Online Producers
- Photo Editors
- Photographers
- Photojournalists
- Playwrights
- Political Columnists and Writers
- Political Reporters
- Political Speechwriters
- Prepress Workers
- Public Opinion Researchers
- Radio and Television Announcers
- Radio Producers
- Real Estate Writers
- Reporters
- Science and Medical Writers
- Screenwriters
- Sports Broadcasters and Announcers
- Sports Photographers
- Sportswriters
- Technical Writers and Editors
- Translators
- Typists and Word Processors
- Writers