Writers and Authors salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Writers and Authors in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $87,020 a year ($41.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,630 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 17% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $104,330. There are 0.18 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $101,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,680 | $27.25 |
| 25th percentile | $70,350 | $33.82 |
| Median | $87,020 | $41.84 |
| 75th percentile | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,630 | $78.67 |
| Average (mean) | $101,430 | $48.77 |
Half of writers and authors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,251.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,625.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,346.92 |
| Weekly | $1,673.46 |
| Hourly | $41.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $87,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Writers and Authors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $108,460 | 2,060 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $84,130 | 560 |
Highest-paying states for writers and authors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $129,300 |
| Maryland | $104,330 |
| Connecticut | $98,460 |
| Vermont | $94,430 |
| Louisiana | $89,520 |
| California | $86,480 |
| Washington | $85,700 |
| Massachusetts | $85,260 |
| Virginia | $85,000 |
| New Jersey | $81,590 |
See Writers and Authors pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Technical Writer | $102,140 | $49.11 |
| Editor | $79,730 | $38.33 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $69,740 | $33.53 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $60,640 | $29.15 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $71,350 | $34.31 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,440 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Interior Designer | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Producers and Directors | $80,850 | $38.87 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3043. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a writers and authors make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $87,020 a year, or $41.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $163,630 a year. The top 25% earn $121,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,680 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $70,350 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 240 writers and authors are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.