Writers and Authors Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Median annual salary $75,890 +5% vs national
Median hourly $36.49
10th percentile $41,450
90th percentile $132,660
Employed locally 720
National median $72,270

Compare Writers and Authors salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Writers and Authors
in
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,450
    25th
    $51,670
    50th (median)
    $75,890
    75th
    $98,430
    90th
    $132,660

    Philadelphia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,273 2023 • Census ACS
    Writers and Authors salary vs area income 85% Median Writers and Authors salary is 15% 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
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $96,240
    Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL $74,790
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $68,990
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $68,640
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $67,350
    Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $66,560

    Related occupations in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $64,380
    Coaches and Scouts $48,610
    Graphic Designers $61,190
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $36,580
    Producers and Directors $78,430
    Editors $77,220

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Writers and Authors make per hour in Philadelphia?

    The median hourly wage for Writers and Authors in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $36.49, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $87.58 or more per hour.

    Is Philadelphia above or below average for Writers and Authors salaries?

    The median Writers and Authors salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 5% above 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 Philadelphia?

    Entry-level Writers and Authors (10th percentile) earn around $41,450 per year in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,670.