Writers and Authors Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $107,810 +49.2% vs national
Median hourly $51.83
10th percentile $52,240
90th percentile $190,620
Employed locally 390
National median $72,270

Compare Writers and Authors salary & buying power

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

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

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,240
    25th
    $76,300
    50th (median)
    $107,810
    75th
    $144,050
    90th
    $190,620

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Writers and Authors salary vs area income 68% Median Writers and Authors salary is 32% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Writers and Authors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $121,160
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $107,590
    Maryland $107,540
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $106,340
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $102,570
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $100,550

    Nearby metros — Writers and Authors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $97,680
    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 Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts$54,520
    Public Relations Specialists$101,200
    Graphic Designers$98,530
    Technical Writers$135,880
    Art Directors$170,760
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$45,110

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Writers and Authors in San Jose, CA is $51.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $85.09 or more per hour.

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

    The median Writers and Authors salary in San Jose, CA is 49.2% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Writers and Authors (10th percentile) earn around $52,240 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $76,300.