Writers and Authors salary in Richmond, VA
Writers and Authors in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $74,300 a year ($35.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,450 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 13% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $85,000. There are 0.34 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,390, close to the median.
Pay range for writers and authors in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,190 | $21.25 |
| 25th percentile | $44,190 | $21.25 |
| Median | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| 75th percentile | $91,250 | $43.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,450 | $46.85 |
| Average (mean) | $71,390 | $34.32 |
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 | $6,191.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,095.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,857.69 |
| Weekly | $1,428.85 |
| Hourly | $35.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $108,460 | 2,060 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $76,990 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,460 | 160 |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| Editor | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Technical Writer | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $78,030 | $37.52 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Interior Designer | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| Producers and Directors | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Photographer | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Art Director | $99,610 | $47.89 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $89,360 | $42.96 |
| Floral Designer | $37,460 | $18.01 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Richmond, VA metro area is $74,300 a year, or $35.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $97,450 a year. The top 25% earn $91,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,190 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $44,190 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Richmond, VA?
About 230 writers and authors are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.