Writers and Authors salary in California
Writers and Authors in California earn a median of $86,480 a year ($41.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,080 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $76,910. California ranks 6th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.46 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| 25th percentile | $75,530 | $36.31 |
| Median | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| 75th percentile | $127,870 | $61.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $193,080 | $92.83 |
| Average (mean) | $106,560 | $51.23 |
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 | $7,206.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,603.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,326.15 |
| Weekly | $1,663.08 |
| Hourly | $41.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Writers and Authors salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $118,810 | 400 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $107,700 | 50 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $86,340 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $82,920 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $82,690 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $82,590 | 350 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $78,990 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $77,250 | n/a |
| Fresno, CA | $77,060 | 70 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $74,820 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $73,600 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $102,630 | $49.34 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $70,770 | $34.02 |
| Technical Writer | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $116,020 | $55.78 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Interior Designer | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 | $42.54 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for writers and authors in California is $86,480 a year, or $41.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in California?
The top 10% of writers and authors in California earn at least $193,080 a year. The top 25% earn $127,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,730 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $75,530 or less.
How many writers and authors work in California?
About 8,390 writers and authors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.