Writers and Authors Salary in Baton Rouge, LA
In Baton Rouge, LA, writers and authors earn $77,640 at the median, or about $37.33 an hour. The range runs from $28K at the entry level to $110K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.78), which stretches that salary to about $85,525 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,204/month, or 23.6% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $78K get you in Baton Rouge?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Baton Rouge’s Regional Price Parity (90.78). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Baton Rouge, LA
Entry-level writers and authors (10th percentile) start around $28K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $110K or more, a $82K spread from bottom to top.
Writers and Authors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $121K | +68% | 1,240 |
| Maryland | $108K | +49% | 620 |
| Washington | $86K | +19% | 900 |
| Vermont | $86K | +19% | 60 |
| Virginia | $81K | +12% | 1,630 |
| Connecticut | $81K | +12% | 640 |
| California | $80K | +11% | 8,950 |
| Massachusetts | $78K | +9% | 1,260 |
| Oregon | $78K | +8% | 850 |
| New Jersey | $76K | +5% | 1,610 |
| New Mexico | $74K | +2% | 60 |
| Texas | $72K | -1% | 2,100 |
| Louisiana | $71K | -2% | 380 |
| Ohio | $68K | -6% | 960 |
| West Virginia | $67K | -7% | 100 |
| Illinois | $66K | -8% | 2,010 |
| Minnesota | $66K | -9% | 980 |
| Florida | $66K | -9% | 2,440 |
| Idaho | $65K | -9% | 100 |
| Maine | $65K | -10% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $64K | -11% | 200 |
| Georgia | $64K | -11% | 1,200 |
| North Carolina | $64K | -12% | 2,170 |
| Arizona | $63K | -13% | 580 |
| Wisconsin | $62K | -14% | 620 |
| Indiana | $62K | -14% | 510 |
| Michigan | $62K | -14% | 860 |
| Utah | $61K | -16% | 630 |
| New Hampshire | $61K | -16% | 230 |
| Montana | $60K | -17% | 90 |
| Rhode Island | $60K | -18% | 200 |
| Kansas | $59K | -18% | 190 |
| Missouri | $59K | -18% | 550 |
| South Dakota | $59K | -19% | 40 |
| Tennessee | $59K | -19% | 1,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $58K | -20% | 1,360 |
| Delaware | $57K | -21% | 40 |
| Alabama | $57K | -21% | 170 |
| Iowa | $55K | -24% | 280 |
| Oklahoma | $53K | -27% | N/A |
| Nevada | $53K | -27% | 200 |
| North Dakota | $52K | -28% | 70 |
| South Carolina | $52K | -28% | 470 |
| Mississippi | $51K | -29% | 130 |
| Arkansas | $46K | -36% | 280 |
| Kentucky | $43K | -40% | 340 |
Showing 1–10 of 46 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track writers and authors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Baton Rouge numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do writers and authors make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median is $77,640 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $27,790, and experienced writers and authors can clear $110,180. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Baton Rouge?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,024/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,204/month, which eats 24% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a writers and authors salary go in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge has a Regional Price Parity of 90.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median writers and authors salary is worth about $85,525 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do writers and authors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.