Writers and Authors salary in Wilmington, NC
Writers and Authors in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $47,940 a year ($23.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,180 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $76,910. Pay here is 25% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $63,660. There are 0.97 writers and authors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for writers and authors in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| 25th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Median | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| 75th percentile | $74,180 | $35.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,180 | $35.66 |
| Average (mean) | $59,360 | $28.54 |
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 | $3,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,997.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,843.85 |
| Weekly | $921.92 |
| Hourly | $23.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $84,130 | 130 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,460 | 160 |
| Asheville, NC | $70,280 | 90 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $69,100 | 360 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,720 | 420 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $63,270 | 100 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,460 | 50 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,300 | 40 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $63,620 | $30.59 |
| Technical Writer | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,960 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Graphic Designer | $54,720 | $26.31 |
| Interior Designer | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,120 | $29.39 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $43,880 | $21.09 |
| Photographer | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Floral Designer | $39,740 | $19.11 |
| Art Director | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| Broadcast Technician | $41,000 | $19.71 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for writers and authors in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $47,940 a year, or $23.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid writers and authors make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of writers and authors in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $74,180 a year. The top 25% earn $74,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for writers and authors in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,940 a year, and a quarter of writers and authors earn $47,940 or less.
How many writers and authors work in Wilmington, NC?
About 180 writers and authors are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.