Writers and Authors salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Writers and Authors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $74,820 a year ($35.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,240 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 13% lower than the California statewide median of $86,480. There are 0.22 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $84,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,230 | $21.26 |
| 25th percentile | $51,730 | $24.87 |
| Median | $74,820 | $35.97 |
| 75th percentile | $100,740 | $48.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,240 | $66.94 |
| Average (mean) | $84,700 | $40.72 |
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 | $6,235 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,117.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,877.69 |
| Weekly | $1,438.85 |
| Hourly | $35.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $118,810 | 400 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $107,700 | 50 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $86,340 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $82,920 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $82,690 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $82,590 | 350 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $78,990 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $77,250 | n/a |
| Fresno, CA | $77,060 | 70 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $73,600 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Editor | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $82,440 | $39.63 |
| Technical Writer | $104,450 | $50.21 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,710 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,860 | $36.95 |
| Interior Designer | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $94,590 | $45.48 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $68,940 | $33.14 |
| Fashion Designer | $108,220 | $52.03 |
| Floral Designer | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Photographer | $55,220 | $26.55 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $74,820 a year, or $35.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $139,240 a year. The top 25% earn $100,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,230 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $51,730 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 40 writers and authors are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.