Writers and Authors salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Writers and Authors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $75,940 a year ($36.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,710 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 11% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $68,220. There are 0.47 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,440 | $20.88 |
| 25th percentile | $49,230 | $23.67 |
| Median | $75,940 | $36.51 |
| 75th percentile | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,710 | $64.76 |
| Average (mean) | $80,510 | $38.71 |
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 | $6,328.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,164.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,920.77 |
| Weekly | $1,460.38 |
| Hourly | $36.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne, IN | $63,640 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $62,440 | 170 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $57,390 | 300 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $52,520 | 130 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $59,660 | $28.68 |
| Technical Writer | $89,960 | $43.25 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $70,350 | $33.82 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $49,470 | $23.78 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $89,620 | $43.09 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $75,940 a year, or $36.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $134,710 a year. The top 25% earn $99,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,440 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $49,230 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,120 writers and authors are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.