Writers and Authors salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Writers and Authors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $57,390 a year ($27.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,350 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 1% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $58,140. There are 0.22 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $67,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| 25th percentile | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| Median | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| 75th percentile | $76,910 | $36.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,350 | $48.24 |
| Average (mean) | $67,100 | $32.26 |
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 | $4,782.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,391.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,207.31 |
| Weekly | $1,103.65 |
| Hourly | $27.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $75,940 | 2,120 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $67,230 | 220 |
| Columbia, MO | $63,030 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $51,260 | 30 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Editor | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Technical Writer | $80,840 | $38.86 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $57,480 | $27.64 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $52,460 | $25.22 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,310 | $36.69 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,970 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,030 | $25.01 |
| Producers and Directors | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $34,360 | — |
| Interior Designer | $61,570 | $29.60 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for writers and authors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $57,390 a year, or $27.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $100,350 a year. The top 25% earn $76,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,380 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $49,890 or less.
How many writers and authors work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 300 writers and authors are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.