Writers and Authors Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $97,680 +35.2% vs national
Median hourly $46.96
10th percentile $63,820
90th percentile $173,610
Employed locally 1,330
National median $72,270

Compare Writers and Authors salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Writers and Authors
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,820
    25th
    $76,720
    50th (median)
    $97,680
    75th
    $132,220
    90th
    $173,610

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Writers and Authors salary vs area income 73% Median Writers and Authors salary is 27% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $107,810
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $96,240
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $96,120
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $80,470
    California $80,470
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $79,080

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$98,460
    Coaches and Scouts$47,260
    Producers and Directors$122,210
    Graphic Designers$89,490
    Media and Communication Workers, All Other$99,420
    Editors$99,720

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Writers and Authors make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Writers and Authors in San Francisco, CA is $46.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $83.47 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Writers and Authors salaries?

    The median Writers and Authors salary in San Francisco, CA is 35.2% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Writers and Authors (10th percentile) earn around $63,820 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $76,720.