Writers and Authors Salary in New Mexico
In New Mexico, writers and authors earn $73,790 at the median — $35.47 an hour. Entry-level workers start around $46K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.)
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $74K get you in New Mexico?
About writers and authors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Mexico
Entry-level writers and authors (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
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 |
Track writers and authors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Mexico numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
How much do writers and authors make in New Mexico?
The median is $73,790 a year - that works out to about $35.47 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in New Mexico?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,806/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,464/month (median of metro areas), which eats 30.5% 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 New Mexico?
New Mexico has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median writers and authors salary is worth about $73,790 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.