Writers and Authors Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $52,000 -28% vs national
Median hourly $25.00
10th percentile $41,790
90th percentile $101,800
Employed locally 80
National median $72,270

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Writers and Authors
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,790
    25th
    $52,000
    50th (median)
    $52,000
    75th
    $75,440
    90th
    $101,800

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Writers and Authors salary vs area income 54% Median Writers and Authors salary is 46% 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 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

    Related occupations in Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $45,020
    Public Relations Specialists $79,110
    Graphic Designers $78,500
    Producers and Directors $77,950
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $42,150
    Interior Designers $79,350

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Writers and Authors make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Writers and Authors in Santa Maria, CA is $25.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.94 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Writers and Authors salaries?

    The median Writers and Authors salary in Santa Maria, CA is 28% below 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Writers and Authors (10th percentile) earn around $41,790 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $52,000.