Writers and Authors Salary in Lancaster, PA
In Lancaster, PA, writers and authors earn $52,720 at the median — $25.35 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.26), that's roughly $53,654 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,526/month — about 43.2% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $53K get you in Lancaster?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Lancaster’s Regional Price Parity (98.26). 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, Lancaster, PA
Entry-level writers and authors (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $53K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $42K 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 Lancaster numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do writers and authors make in Lancaster, PA?
The median is $52,720 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,310, and experienced writers and authors can clear $78,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $53K enough to live in Lancaster?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,565/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,526/month, which eats 42.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a writers and authors salary go in Lancaster?
Lancaster has a Regional Price Parity of 98.26 (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 $53,654 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.