Writers and Authors Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$72,270
↑ 29.4% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Writers and Authors — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Writers and Authors — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 29.4% since 2011 ($55,870 → $72,270)
🏆Peak year: 2023 at $73,690
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 6.2% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -12%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $72,270 | -1.9% |
| 2023 | $73,690 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | $73,150 | +5.2% |
| 2021 | $69,510 | +3.6% |
| 2020 | $67,120 | +6.2% |
| 2019 | $63,200 | +1.7% |
| 2018 | $62,170 | +0.6% |
| 2017 | $61,820 | +0.9% |
| 2016 | $61,240 | +1.6% |
| 2015 | $60,250 | +2.4% |
| 2014 | $58,850 | +1.9% |
| 2013 | $57,750 | +3.2% |
| 2012 | $55,940 | +0.1% |
| 2011 | $55,870 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.