Writers and Authors salary in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
Writers and Authors in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area earn a median of $62,060 a year ($29.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,900 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 28% lower than the Washington statewide median of $85,700. There are 0.23 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $65,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,500 | $21.39 |
| 25th percentile | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Median | $62,060 | $29.84 |
| 75th percentile | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,900 | $41.78 |
| Average (mean) | $65,180 | $31.34 |
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 | $5,171.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,585.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,386.92 |
| Weekly | $1,193.46 |
| Hourly | $29.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,060 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $98,730 | 520 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $87,560 | 600 |
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 Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Editor | $67,810 | $32.60 |
| Technical Writer | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $41,840 | $20.11 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $43,100 | $20.72 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,050 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $56,530 | $27.18 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Photographer | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,430 | $29.54 |
| Interior Designer | $61,310 | $29.48 |
| Floral Designer | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,770 | $29.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Spokane-Spokane Valley, 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 Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area is $62,060 a year, or $29.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area earn at least $86,900 a year. The top 25% earn $78,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,500 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $49,580 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
About 60 writers and authors are employed in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.