Writers and Authors salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Writers and Authors in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $90,060 a year ($43.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,190 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 10% higher than the New Jersey statewide median of $81,590. There are 0.47 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,730, close to the median.
Pay range for writers and authors in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| 25th percentile | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Median | $90,060 | $43.30 |
| 75th percentile | $100,900 | $48.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,190 | $51.05 |
| Average (mean) | $84,730 | $40.74 |
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 | $7,505 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,752.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,463.85 |
| Weekly | $1,731.92 |
| Hourly | $43.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $84,130 | 560 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $60,700 | 50 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Editor | $86,870 | $41.77 |
| Technical Writer | $117,130 | $56.31 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $60,710 | $29.19 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $74,620 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $71,750 | $34.49 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| Producers and Directors | $110,190 | $52.98 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $44.96 |
| Art Director | $121,540 | $58.43 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $68,730 | $33.04 |
| Interior Designer | $67,310 | $32.36 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,880 | $42.73 |
| Floral Designer | $42,460 | $20.41 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $90,060 a year, or $43.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $106,190 a year. The top 25% earn $100,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,360 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $61,670 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 110 writers and authors are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.