Writers and Authors salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Writers and Authors in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $63,270 a year ($30.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,560 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 7% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $58,870. 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 $68,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,230 | $21.26 |
| 25th percentile | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| Median | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| 75th percentile | $81,290 | $39.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,560 | $47.39 |
| Average (mean) | $68,520 | $32.94 |
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 | $5,272.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,636.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,433.46 |
| Weekly | $1,216.73 |
| Hourly | $30.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $63,080 | 180 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $61,400 | 110 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $58,480 | 170 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $57,600 | 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 |
See Writers and Authors pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| Editor | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,770 | $30.18 |
| Technical Writer | $79,550 | $38.24 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,170 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,370 | $29.03 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Interior Designer | $69,770 | $33.55 |
| Art Director | $101,470 | $48.78 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $63,270 a year, or $30.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $98,560 a year. The top 25% earn $81,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,230 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $53,790 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 520 writers and authors are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.