Writers and Authors salary in Mississippi
Writers and Authors in Mississippi earn a median of $54,180 a year ($26.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,550 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $76,910. Mississippi ranks 38th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.11 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $56,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Mississippi
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,820 | $12.41 |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Median | $54,180 | $26.05 |
| 75th percentile | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,550 | $41.13 |
| Average (mean) | $56,330 | $27.08 |
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 | $4,515 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,257.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,083.85 |
| Weekly | $1,041.92 |
| Hourly | $26.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,180 salary, see how much house you can afford in Mississippi at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Writers and Authors salary in cities in Mississippi
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $58,480 | 170 |
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 Mississippi
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $59,810 | $28.75 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| Editor | $54,380 | $26.14 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $57,130 | $27.47 |
| Technical Writer | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $67,300 | $32.36 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $33,040 | $15.88 |
| Graphic Designer | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Producers and Directors | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Interior Designer | $43,740 | $21.03 |
| Floral Designer | $29,370 | $14.12 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Photographer | $45,860 | $22.05 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
The median salary for writers and authors in Mississippi is $54,180 a year, or $26.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Mississippi?
The top 10% of writers and authors in Mississippi earn at least $85,550 a year. The top 25% earn $63,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Mississippi?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,820 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $41,600 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Mississippi?
About 130 writers and authors are employed in Mississippi, not counting the self-employed.