Writers and Authors Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
In San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, writers and authors earn $97,680 at the median — $46.96 an hour. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $174K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $84,491 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 58.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $98K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About writers and authors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level writers and authors (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $98K.Top earners bring in $174K or more - a $110K 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 |
Track writers and authors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do writers and authors make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $97,680 a year - that works out to about $46.96 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,820, and experienced writers and authors can clear $173,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $98K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,990/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 60.2% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median writers and authors salary is worth about $84,491 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.