Writers and Authors Salary in Virginia
In Virginia, writers and authors earn $80,990 at the median — $38.94 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $134K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $81K get you in Virginia?
About writers and authors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level writers and authors (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K.Top earners bring in $134K or more - a $86K 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 Virginia numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
How much do writers and authors make in Virginia?
The median is $80,990 a year - that works out to about $38.94 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,000, and experienced writers and authors can clear $133,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,102/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,322/month (median of metro areas), which eats 25.9% 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 Virginia?
Virginia 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 $80,990 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.