Writers and Authors salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Writers and Authors in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $84,130 a year ($40.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,890 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 32% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $63,660. There are 0.38 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $83,700, close to the median.
Pay range for writers and authors in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| 25th percentile | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| Median | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| 75th percentile | $96,610 | $46.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,890 | $56.68 |
| Average (mean) | $83,700 | $40.24 |
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 | $7,010.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,505.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,235.77 |
| Weekly | $1,617.88 |
| Hourly | $40.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,460 | 160 |
| Asheville, NC | $70,280 | 90 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $69,100 | 360 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,720 | 420 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $63,270 | 100 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,460 | 50 |
| Wilmington, NC | $47,940 | 180 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,300 | 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 |
See Writers and Authors pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Technical Writer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Editor | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Producers and Directors | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Photographer | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Interior Designer | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Art Director | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Floral Designer | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $28.56 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $84,130 a year, or $40.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $117,890 a year. The top 25% earn $96,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,980 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $63,370 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 130 writers and authors are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.