Writers and Authors
SOC 27-3043Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
Five-year wage trends
Median wage levels across states
Focus level
Level III median wage up 12.5% since 2020-21.
2026 weighted lottery impact
Thresholds for Level III & IV
2026 Weighted Lottery Impact
Level III threshold: $66,550
Level IV threshold: $79,404
Most common level in filings: Level II
Latest Level III median
2025-26
$66,550
Level I$41,694
Level II$53,945
Level III$66,550
Level IV$79,404
Top metros by Level III wages
Latest year median for this occupation
| Rank | Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT, CT | $49,192 | $92,019 | $134,826 | $177,653 |
| 2 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, CA | $62,254 | $89,939 | $117,645 | $145,330 |
| 3 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA, CA | $59,446 | $87,963 | $116,459 | $144,976 |
| 4 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, DC | $70,512 | $92,851 | $115,170 | $137,509 |
| 5 | Winchester, VA-WV, VA | $68,349 | $91,062 | $113,755 | $136,469 |
| 6 | Lexington Park, MD, MD | $69,264 | $91,458 | $113,672 | $135,866 |
| 7 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, CA | $64,584 | $88,379 | $112,154 | $135,949 |
| 8 | Modesto, CA, CA | $64,480 | $88,275 | $112,091 | $135,886 |
| 9 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, CA | $66,664 | $89,378 | $112,070 | $134,784 |
| 10 | Merced, CA, CA | $56,763 | $82,805 | $108,826 | $134,867 |
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