Writers and Authors Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $96,240 +33.2% vs national
Median hourly $46.27
10th percentile $50,960
90th percentile $208,560
Employed locally 40
National median $72,270

Compare Writers and Authors salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Writers and Authors
in
San Luis Obispo, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,960
    25th
    $76,330
    50th (median)
    $96,240
    75th
    $182,440
    90th
    $208,560

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Writers and Authors salary vs area income 103% Median Writers and Authors salary is 3% above 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $97,680
    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 Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $45,660
    Public Relations Specialists $72,220
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $44,240
    Producers and Directors $77,820
    Editors $79,360
    Interpreters and Translators $53,570

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Writers and Authors in San Luis Obispo, CA is $46.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $61.45 or more per hour.

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

    The median Writers and Authors salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 33.2% 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 Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Writers and Authors (10th percentile) earn around $50,960 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $76,330.