Writers and Authors salary in North Carolina
Writers and Authors in North Carolina earn a median of $63,660 a year ($30.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,820 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $76,910. North Carolina ranks 30th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.37 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,180 | $20.28 |
| 25th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Median | $63,660 | $30.60 |
| 75th percentile | $83,360 | $40.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,820 | $56.64 |
| Average (mean) | $72,340 | $34.78 |
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 | $5,305 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,652.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,448.46 |
| Weekly | $1,224.23 |
| Hourly | $30.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,660 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 cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $84,130 | 130 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Editor | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $42,920 | $20.64 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Photographer | $37,120 | $17.84 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for writers and authors in North Carolina is $63,660 a year, or $30.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of writers and authors in North Carolina earn at least $117,820 a year. The top 25% earn $83,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,180 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $47,940 or less.
How many writers and authors work in North Carolina?
About 1,810 writers and authors are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.