Writers and Authors salary in West Virginia
Writers and Authors in West Virginia earn a median of $64,410 a year ($30.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,380 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $76,910. West Virginia ranks 27th of 43 states for writers and authors pay. There are 0.16 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $67,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,340 | $11.70 |
| 25th percentile | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Median | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| 75th percentile | $72,340 | $34.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Average (mean) | $67,860 | $32.63 |
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 | $5,367.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,683.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,477.31 |
| Weekly | $1,238.65 |
| Hourly | $30.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Writers and Authors salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $108,460 | 2,060 |
| Charleston, WV | $72,340 | 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 |
Related jobs in West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Editor | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $56,790 | $27.30 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $52,050 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Graphic Designer | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| Floral Designer | $29,860 | $14.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Broadcast Technician | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $73,030 | $35.11 |
| Photographer | $36,110 | $17.36 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for writers and authors in West Virginia is $64,410 a year, or $30.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of writers and authors in West Virginia earn at least $103,380 a year. The top 25% earn $72,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,340 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $47,530 or less.
How many writers and authors work in West Virginia?
About 110 writers and authors are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.