Writers and Authors Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $84,520 +17% vs national
Median hourly $40.64
10th percentile $50,230
90th percentile $130,870
Employed locally 580
National median $72,270

Compare Writers and Authors salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Portland, OR-WA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Writers and Authors
in
Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,230
    25th
    $62,860
    50th (median)
    $84,520
    75th
    $97,800
    90th
    $130,870

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Writers and Authors salary vs area income 89% Median Writers and Authors salary is 11% 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
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $102,570
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $100,550
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $92,690
    Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $83,580
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $80,950
    California $80,470

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $75,840
    Coaches and Scouts $48,140
    Graphic Designers $68,710
    Producers and Directors $83,250
    Art Directors $155,350
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $41,350

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Writers and Authors in Portland, OR-WA is $40.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $76.67 or more per hour.

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

    The median Writers and Authors salary in Portland, OR-WA is 17% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Writers and Authors (10th percentile) earn around $50,230 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,860.