Writers and Authors Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $58,140 -19.6% vs national
Median hourly $27.95
10th percentile $48,410
90th percentile $83,740
Employed locally 110
National median $72,270

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Writers and Authors
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Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,410
    25th
    $48,410
    50th (median)
    $58,140
    75th
    $63,980
    90th
    $83,740

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Writers and Authors salary vs area income 69% Median Writers and Authors salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Writers and Authors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $121,160
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $107,810
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $107,590
    Maryland $107,540
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $106,340
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $102,570

    Nearby metros — Writers and Authors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $121,160
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $106,340
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $100,550
    Virginia $80,990
    California $80,470
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $75,890

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $68,360
    Coaches and Scouts $34,640
    Graphic Designers $51,100
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $39,300
    Interior Designers $62,390
    Producers and Directors $58,690

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Writers and Authors make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Writers and Authors in Des Moines, IA is $27.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.89 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Writers and Authors salaries?

    The median Writers and Authors salary in Des Moines, IA is 19.6% below the national median of $72,270. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Writers and Authors in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Writers and Authors (10th percentile) earn around $48,410 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,410.