Writers and Authors salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Writers and Authors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $98,730 a year ($47.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,720 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 15% higher than the Washington statewide median of $85,700. There are 0.25 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $98,430, close to the median.
Pay range for writers and authors in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| 25th percentile | $79,610 | $38.28 |
| Median | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| 75th percentile | $119,030 | $57.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,720 | $65.73 |
| Average (mean) | $98,430 | $47.32 |
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 | $8,227.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,113.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,797.31 |
| Weekly | $1,898.65 |
| Hourly | $47.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $87,560 | 600 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $62,060 | 60 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $96,000 | $46.16 |
| Editor | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Technical Writer | $107,580 | $51.72 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $65,800 | $31.63 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $113,200 | $54.42 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,640 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Producers and Directors | $86,680 | $41.68 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $134,120 | $64.48 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $98,730 a year, or $47.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $136,720 a year. The top 25% earn $119,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,540 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $79,610 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 520 writers and authors are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.