The median annual wage for writers and authors was $60,250 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,230, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $114,530.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for writers and authors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Professional, scientific, and technical services
$64,380
Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations
58,920
Arts, entertainment, and recreation
58,400
Information
57,640
Freelance writers earn income from their articles, books, and, less commonly, television and movie scripts. Although most freelance writers work on individual projects for multiple publishers, many support themselves with income derived from other sources. Freelancers generally have to provide for their own health insurance and pension, unless they receive coverage from another job.
In 2014, about two-thirds of writers and authors were self-employed.
About 1 in 4 worked part time in 2014. Some writers keep regular office hours, either to stay in contact with sources and editors or to set up a writing routine, but many writers set their own hours. Freelance writers are paid per assignment; therefore, they work any number of hours necessary to meet a deadline. As a result, writers must be willing to work evenings and weekends to produce something that is acceptable to an editor or client. Although many freelance writers enjoy running their own business and working flexible hours, most routinely face the pressures of juggling multiple projects or continually looking for new work.
Writers and Authors
Median annual wages, May 2015
Writers and authors
$60,250
Media and communication workers
$53,530
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics