Updated April 6, 2023
Creative Writer Salary Estimate
To create our salary estimates, Zippia starts with data published in publicly available sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC) Show More$73,095
$35.14 hourly
Entry level Salary
$46,000 yearly
How much does a Creative Writer make?
The average salary for a creative writer in the United States is $73,095. Creative writer salaries typically range between $46,000 and $114,000 a year. The average hourly rate for creative writers is $35.14 per hour.
Location, education, and experience impacts how much a creative writer can expect to make. Creative writers make the most in California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
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The average salary for a creative writer is $73,095 in the US. -
The average creative writer salary ranges between $46,000 and $114,000 in the US. -
Hourly rates for creative writers in the US typically range between $22 and $54 an hour. -
The average creative writer salary is $98,653 in California, $96,826 in New Jersey, and $91,192 in Pennsylvania. These are the three highest-paying states for creative writers in the US. -
Apple has the highest average salary for creative writers. -
Internet is the highest-paying industry for creative writers in the US.
Highest Paying States For Creative Writers
- State View
- County View
Creative Writer average salary by State
Rank | State | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Count |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | California | $98,653 | $47.43 | 1,344 |
2 | New Jersey | $96,826 | $46.55 | 275 |
3 | District of Columbia | $97,231 | $46.75 | 211 |
4 | Massachusetts | $90,264 | $43.40 | 403 |
5 | Washington | $88,432 | $42.52 | 274 |
6 | Pennsylvania | $91,192 | $43.84 | 285 |
7 | New York | $85,943 | $41.32 | 1,005 |
8 | Utah | $80,782 | $38.84 | 127 |
9 | Wisconsin | $90,580 | $43.55 | 124 |
10 | Idaho | $84,629 | $40.69 | 46 |
11 | Indiana | $90,322 | $43.42 | 116 |
12 | Connecticut | $87,689 | $42.16 | 93 |
13 | Virginia | $81,021 | $38.95 | 452 |
14 | Vermont | $79,627 | $38.28 | 36 |
15 | Nevada | $79,446 | $38.20 | 78 |
16 | North Dakota | $78,480 | $37.73 | 27 |
17 | Maryland | $80,303 | $38.61 | 358 |
18 | Delaware | $81,351 | $39.11 | 38 |
19 | Rhode Island | $79,056 | $38.01 | 42 |
20 | Nebraska | $77,383 | $37.20 | 78 |
21 | Maine | $80,570 | $38.74 | 21 |
22 | West Virginia | $74,609 | $35.87 | 31 |
23 | North Carolina | $70,488 | $33.89 | 292 |
24 | Colorado | $75,085 | $36.10 | 167 |
25 | Oregon | $68,687 | $33.02 | 220 |
26 | New Hampshire | $72,546 | $34.88 | 47 |
27 | Alaska | $69,311 | $33.32 | 34 |
28 | Mississippi | $76,568 | $36.81 | 30 |
29 | New Mexico | $70,034 | $33.67 | 50 |
30 | Ohio | $69,660 | $33.49 | 180 |
31 | Minnesota | $66,805 | $32.12 | 180 |
32 | Kentucky | $69,341 | $33.34 | 59 |
33 | Wyoming | $60,184 | $28.93 | 39 |
34 | Montana | $64,241 | $30.89 | 37 |
35 | Illinois | $64,947 | $31.22 | 400 |
36 | South Dakota | $66,000 | $31.73 | 21 |
37 | Texas | $64,176 | $30.85 | 520 |
38 | Alabama | $66,713 | $32.07 | 70 |
39 | Louisiana | $66,733 | $32.08 | 39 |
40 | Oklahoma | $63,017 | $30.30 | 58 |
41 | Arkansas | $61,607 | $29.62 | 52 |
42 | Georgia | $63,270 | $30.42 | 227 |
43 | Michigan | $61,318 | $29.48 | 173 |
44 | Arizona | $58,958 | $28.35 | 132 |
45 | South Carolina | $61,561 | $29.60 | 73 |
46 | Florida | $58,694 | $28.22 | 399 |
47 | Hawaii | $42,118 | $20.25 | 26 |
48 | Missouri | $57,130 | $27.47 | 150 |
49 | Iowa | $58,594 | $28.17 | 60 |
50 | Kansas | $54,681 | $26.29 | 62 |
51 | Tennessee | $53,080 | $25.52 | 116 |
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Highest Paying Cities For Creative Writers
Rank | City | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Count |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Redwood City, CA | $103,537 | $49.78 | |
2 | Mountain View, CA | $103,517 | $49.77 | |
3 | Palo Alto, CA | $103,512 | $49.77 | 2 |
4 | San Francisco, CA | $103,377 | $49.70 | |
5 | Parksdale, CA | $102,240 | $49.15 | |
6 | Sacramento, CA | $101,673 | $48.88 | |
7 | Santa Monica, CA | $97,954 | $47.09 | |
8 | Glendale, CA | $97,949 | $47.09 | |
9 | Los Angeles, CA | $97,885 | $47.06 | |
10 | Manhattan Beach, CA | $97,651 | $46.95 | |
11 | Washington, DC | $97,470 | $46.86 | 1 |
12 | Iselin, NJ | $97,024 | $46.65 | |
13 | Englewood Cliffs, NJ | $96,757 | $46.52 | |
14 | Irvine, CA | $96,739 | $46.51 | 1 |
15 | Spring Grove, PA | $90,718 | $43.61 |
Creative Writers Salary Details

What is a Creative Writer's Salary?
Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|
90th Percentile | $114,000 | $9,500 | $55 |
75th Percentile | $92,000 | $7,667 | $44 |
Average | $73,095 | $6,091 | $35 |
25th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
10th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
Highest Paying Types of Creative Writers
Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Openings |
---|---|---|---|---|
Publisher | $71,539 | $5,962 | $34.39 | 10,303 |
Editor | $52,107 | $4,342 | $25.05 | 15,115 |
News Editor | $53,822 | $4,485 | $25.88 | 12,484 |
Technical Editor | $61,717 | $5,143 | $29.67 | 78,423 |
Managing Editor | $89,060 | $7,422 | $42.82 | 16,781 |
Technical Writer And Editor | $65,088 | $5,424 | $31.29 | 78,617 |
Here are the five companies hiring the most now:
Which Companies Pay Creative Writers The Most?
Rank | Company | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Openings |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Apple | $129,063 | $62.05 | 253 |
2 | Meta | $126,107 | $60.63 | 1 |
3 | $121,584 | $58.45 | 6 | |
4 | Squarespace | $120,901 | $58.13 | |
5 | NBCUniversal | $92,535 | $44.49 | 55 |
6 | Electronic Arts | $90,197 | $43.36 | 3 |
7 | Alteryx | $88,893 | $42.74 | |
8 | Entrata | $86,900 | $41.78 | |
9 | Fisher Investments | $86,054 | $41.37 | |
10 | Foundation For A Christian | $83,117 | $39.96 | |
11 | Plains Cotton Cooperative Association | $82,759 | $39.79 | |
12 | Ericsson | $77,731 | $37.37 | |
13 | KPMG LLP | $77,488 | $37.25 | 2 |
14 | Crystal Equation | $76,870 | $36.96 | |
15 | Johnson Controls | $74,140 | $35.64 | |
16 | Strategic Staffing Solutions | $74,030 | $35.59 | |
17 | Thermo Fisher Scientific | $71,632 | $34.44 | 18 |
18 | Salesforce | $69,845 | $33.58 | |
19 | National Restaurant Association | $67,008 | $32.22 | |
20 | Kelly Services | $46,032 | $22.13 | 8 |
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Creative Writer Pay Trends
Average Creative Writer Salary Over Time
Compare salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Creative Writer Salary By Year
Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | $73,100 | $35.14 | +5.8% |
2022 | $68,800 | $33.09 | +1.6% |
2021 | $67,700 | $32.55 | +0.6% |
2020 | $67,300 | $32.37 | +0.9% |
2019 | $66,700 | $32.06 | +1.6% |
Show More
Recently Added Creative Writer Salaries
Company | Job | Location | Date Added | Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unilever | Creative Copywriter | West Hollywood, CA | 04/24/2023 | $91,000 |
NBC Universal | Creative Writer | New York, NY | 04/08/2023 | $95,000 |
ICF | Creative Copywriter | San Juan, PR | 04/07/2023 | $51,333 |
ICF | Creative Copywriter | Augusta, ME | 04/07/2023 | $51,333 |
ICF | Creative Copywriter | Saint Paul, MN | 04/07/2023 | $51,333 |
ICF | Creative Copywriter | Urban Honolulu, HI | 04/07/2023 | $51,333 |
ICF | Creative Copywriter | Lincoln, NE | 04/07/2023 | $51,333 |
ICF | Creative Copywriter | Santa Fe, NM | 04/07/2023 | $51,333 |
ICF | Creative Copywriter | Columbia, SC | 04/07/2023 | $51,333 |
ICF | Creative Copywriter | Raleigh, NC | 04/07/2023 | $51,333 |
Show More
Creative Writer Salaries FAQs
What State Pays Creative Writers The Most?
California pays Creative Writers the most in the United States, with an average salary of $98,653 per year, or $47.43 per hour.
How Do I Know If I'm Being Paid Fairly As A Creative Writer?
You know if you are being paid fairly as a Creative Writer if your pay is close to the average pay for the state you live in. For example, if you live in District of Columbia you should be paid close to $97,231 per year.
Have more questions?
See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.Search For Creative Writer Jobs
Creative Writer Related Salaries
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- Associate Editor Salary
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- Editor Salary
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- News Editor Salary
- Production Editor Salary
- Proposal Writer Salary
- Publisher Salary
- Senior Copywriter Salary
- Senior Editor Salary
- Senior Technical Writer Salary
- Senior Writer Salary
Creative Writer Related Careers
Creative Writer Related Jobs
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- What Does a News Editor Do
- What Does a Production Editor Do
- What Does a Proposal Writer Do
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- Zippia Careers
- Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Industry
- Creative Writer
- Creative Writer Salary
Updated April 6, 2023
FAQs
How much do writers make 2023? ›
As of May 19, 2023, the average weekly pay for a Writer in the United States is $1,196 a week. While ZipRecruiter is seeing weekly wages as high as $2,346 and as low as $231, the majority of Writer wages currently range between $740 (25th percentile) to $1,394 (75th percentile) across the United States.
What is the salary of a creative writer? ›$44,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $62,000 is the 75th percentile.
What is the highest salary for a writer? ›Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary |
---|---|---|
90th Percentile | $107,000 | $8,917 |
75th Percentile | $85,000 | $7,083 |
Average | $66,143 | $5,512 |
25th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 |
With over seven years of digital marketing experience and real-life experience, my copywriting service rate for 2023 is between $. 50-$. 80/word with a max of 2,000 words. This rate will change over time as I pick up more copywriting clients of course!
What is a good hourly rate for a freelance writer? ›Here's a breakdown to help you gauge your per-hour rate based on your experience level: Entry Level — $15 to $30 per hour. Intermediate — $35 to $60 per hour. Experienced — $65 to $100 per hour.
Does creative writing pay well? ›The average salary for a creative writer in the United States is $73,095. Creative writer salaries typically range between $46,000 and $114,000 a year. The average hourly rate for creative writers is $35.14 per hour. Location, education, and experience impacts how much a creative writer can expect to make.
How much do freelance creative writers make? ›Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
---|---|---|
Top Earners | $156,000 | $13,000 |
75th Percentile | $63,500 | $5,291 |
Average | $60,985 | $5,082 |
25th Percentile | $37,500 | $3,125 |
Creative writing jobs aren't just for the John Grishams and Danielle Steels of the world. If you love wordsmithing and enjoy developing an idea, you can earn money from anywhere — even if you've never been paid for writing before. It sounds like a pipe dream, but thousands of writers do it every day.
Can I make 100k as a writer? ›Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a writer.
The chances of earning over $100k for a writer are actually pretty good because the highest-paid writer positions typically pay at least $102,000 per year. The average annual salary is $65,718 for writer jobs.
Is there a high demand for writers? ›
Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 15,200 openings for writers and authors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
How much do UX writers make in 2023? ›As of May 13, 2023, the average annual pay for an Ux Writer in the United States is $118,555 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $57.00 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,279/week or $9,879/month.
Is being a UX writer stressful? ›Like any job, being a UX designer can be stressful. However, many UX designers find that they enjoy the problem-solving aspect of the job, which can reduce stress.
Is UX writing in high demand? ›As the demand for UX writers continues to grow, and as you build your portfolio and gain more experience, your salary can increase too. So, if you're passionate about writing and have a knack for creating user-friendly digital experiences, a career as a UX writer could be a great choice for you.
Can a copywriter be a millionaire? ›Yes, of course it can. But like I said in the beginning of this article, you get out what you put in. Don't expect to make a million dollars in your first year. It takes time to build up the experience, expertise, and social proof you need to charge the big-bucks.
How much should a writer charge per 1,000 words? ›From 50 Cents to About $2 Per Word. Starting From $0.10 Per Word for a Basic Blog Post. At Least $250 Per 1,000 Words. $15 to $20 for 1,000 Words Depending on the Topic and Deadline.
Is copywriting in demand 2023? ›The great thing about copywriting is that it will always be in demand. In fact, as the world increasingly moves online, the demand for copywriters will only continue to grow. After all, someone has to write all those website descriptions, social media posts, and email newsletters. And who better to do it than you?
How much do you charge for a 500 word article? ›For one interview source when writing for an editorial brand, I aim to earn at least $0.75 a word when I'm thinking about how much to charge for 500-word article, and it depends on the topic. That averages to at least $375 for an article.
How much should a beginner freelance writer charge? ›We recommend beginner freelance writers charge no less than $0.05 to $0.20 per word. If you consider the example of a 1,000-word blog post, this means you'll range from $50 to $200 per post. In reality, many beginning writers make $0.01 to $0.04 per word, which is an unreasonably low fee.
How much do freelance writers make per 1,000 words? ›Another freelance writer uses a calculator to price projects and typically uses the following range for blog posts: 1000-1500 words: USD 600. 1500-2000 words: USD 700. 2000-2500 words: USD 800.
Is a BA in creative writing worth it? ›
A degree in creative writing can lead to a variety of career opportunities such as becoming a poet, author, or publishing editor. Additionally, as creative writing majors have a strong grasp of the English language, they can also explore other career paths such as copywriting or technical writing.
Is creative writing a skill or talent? ›Although some people have a natural talent for writing, creative writing is a skill that anyone can learn, as long as they dedicate enough time and effort to do so.
How hard is it to earn money from writing? ›Writing is hard work, making money from it is harder still, but it's certainly not impossible. There's no mystery to how you can make money, but it does take a clear vision of what path you want to take to get there, and what part of the process you value most.
Can I make $1000 a month freelance writing? ›Even with little or no experience, you can make $1,000 or more per month as a freelance writer in a short period of time. But that's just the beginning! Some of the go getters I know earn as much as $100K- $200K a year from freelance copywriting jobs (more about that below)!
What type of freelance writing pays the most? ›The healthcare and medical sector is one of the highest-paying niches in freelance writing. Content in this niche requires similar skill sets to technical writing—as well as extensive knowledge of the healthcare industry.
Can I make a living as a freelance writer? ›Freelance writing can be a fantastic way to earn money and can even lead to full-time income if you can consistently produce quality work.
Can I be a creative writer without a degree? ›You don't need a degree to be a writer, nor do you need to be a certain age. Becoming a writer simply requires an admiration for—and a longing to create with—language. So, don't worry about becoming a writer later in life or lacking a formal education.
Do you need a degree to be a creative writer? ›The education needed to be a creative writer is normally a bachelor's degree. Creative writers usually study english, communication or writing. 73% of creative writers hold a bachelor's degree and 10% hold a associate degree.
What's the difference between a writer and a creative writer? ›Unlike other forms of writing, creative writing is not limited by the rules or restrictions that dictate other journalistic, technical or academic styles. The term includes a number of different genres and styles in both a fictional and non-fictional context and allows for a level of artistic or creative freedom.
How can I make $200 K a year? ›- Voice actor.
- Plastic surgeon.
- Oral surgeon.
- Information security director.
- Investment banker.
- Judge.
- Anesthesiologist.
- Dermatologist.
What percentage of writers are successful? ›
Within the book publishing industry, it is agreed that the odds of an author getting their work published stands between 1% and 2%. Despite this low number, more than 95% of manuscripts received by publishers and agents are below the level the standard required.
How many books to sell to make $100,000? ›To make $100k with those 24books, you'd need to sell 174 copies of each book each month. After the third year, you'll have 36 books published. To make $100k with those 36 books, you'd need to sell 116 copies of each book each month.
Is writing a good career in 2023? ›One study found that 73 percent of employers now consider writing one of the top three "most desired" qualities in job candidates. Article continues after video. Whether you're a business owner, student, employee, or manager, improving your writing skills should be one of your professional development goals for 2023.
Do writers work long hours? ›Erica Vetsch: The true answer is—it depends. If I'm on a deadline of some kind, I can write from 4-6 hours a day. Mostly, I write from 2-4 hours on weekday afternoons. I do lots of other writing tasks like editing, marketing, blogging, etc, but for writing on the manuscript, I average about 3 hours per weekday.
Which degree is best for writers? ›- Liberal Arts. A liberal arts degree is one of the most general and flexible options for writers. ...
- English. A degree in English exposes students to a wide variety of literature. ...
- Creative Writing. ...
- Media and Journalism. ...
- Theater and Film. ...
- Professional and Technical Writing. ...
- Linguistics. ...
- Marketing.
How much can authors expect to earn from their books? A first-time author with a traditional publishing deal might expect an advance of $1,000-$10,000 and 5-18% royalties once they “earn out” their advance. Self-published authors do not receive advances, but their royalties can reach up to 70% for ebook editions.
What is the monthly income of writer? ›The national average salary for a Writer is ₹25,758 in India.
Do most Writers have a day job? ›Do Most Authors Have a Day Job? Yes. Making a living with your creative writing is a financial life plan in the same way winning the lottery is a financial life plan. Good luck, but don't quit your day job.
Is 27 too old to become a UX designer? ›There are challenges, of course, but you're never too old to become a UX designer.
How do I become a content writer in 2023? ›- Keep Honing Your Skills. As you write more content, keep sharpening your skills as a writer. ...
- Read Digital Content. Reading is one of the simplest ways to improve your writing. ...
- Freelancing. ...
- Editing and Proofreading. ...
- Identify Your Niche.
Is UX on demand 2023? ›
Yes, UX is in great demand in a growing number of industries. Even in 2022, the need for UX designers has grown growing. On Glassdoor's yearly Best Jobs list, the UX designer job made it to the 24th spot with just over 7,000 job openings in the USA as of July 2022. It is unlikely that this will change in 2023.
Why is getting a UX job so hard? ›It is hard to get a job in UX because of several reasons. First of all, many designers are looking for a job. Because of that, competition is fierce, and companies know it. They can go for someone with a lot of experience, even if the job doesn't require it.
Can I be a UX writer without a degree? ›No, you do not need a specific degree to be a UX Designer, but you do need the right hard and soft skills to be considered for a role in UX design.
Do you need a degree for UX writing? ›UX writing is a complex and technical field, so a grasp of technical knowledge is also a mandatory requirement. Most UX writers have a bachelor's degree in product design, journals, engineering, or a relevant field. While senior UX writers can have masters or doctoral degrees in the same field they work in.
How much does a UX writer at Google earn? ›The estimated total pay for a UX writer at Google is $67 per hour.
What is the life of a UX writer? ›UX writing is all about crafting words to guide a person (user) through an app or a website. Unlike content writers, we can't work alone to get our job done. We work very closely with designers to ensure we're creating a clear and concise user experience across digital products. A designer with words, if you will.
How many hours a week does a UX writer work? ›While there is no set number of hours a week UX designers should be working, it is typically suggested that they put in around 40 -45 hours a week. This leaves plenty of time for design research, user testing, and other related tasks.
Can authors make 100k a year? ›Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a writer.
The chances of earning over $100k for a writer are actually pretty good because the highest-paid writer positions typically pay at least $102,000 per year. The average annual salary is $65,718 for writer jobs.
Job Outlook
Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 15,200 openings for writers and authors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Wrapping up, freelance content writing is still a thrilling and lucrative career option in 2023.
How do I make my first $1000 as a content writer? ›
- Introduce yourself (1 sentence)
- Tell them you want to write content for them.
- Give them 3 examples of articles you can write for them.
- Tell them you're available for a quick call any day this week to talk further.
That's the answer, no matter how old you are. Writing isn't only a talent; it's a craft you can master with practice just like anything else. No one ever wonders if it's too late to learn how to garden or bake bread. And writing isn't like a sport where you burn out at age 21 because it's so physically demanding.
Can you still make a living as an author? ›Worry not, fair writers, because you can make a living as a writer. It just takes some understanding and, like all careers, dedication and hard work. In this blog, we're going to talk about what it takes to turn writing into your career.
What art makes the most money? ›- #1 Art Director. Median Salary: $94,220. ...
- #2 Producer & Director. Median Salary: $74,420. ...
- #3 Landscape Architect. Median Salary: $69,360. ...
- #4 Video Editor. Median Salary: $63,780. ...
- #5 Graphic Designer. Median Salary: $52,110. ...
- #6 Drafter. Median Salary: $56,830. ...
- #7 Art Curator. ...
- #8 Interior Designer.
Putting your artwork on products like T-shirts, mugs, and bags is a great passive income idea for artists and designers alike. Expect to do some work upfront, but after that, you can sit back and wait for your business to generate revenue.
Is it possible to make a living selling art? ›Painters, illustrators, designers, graphic artists, and even sculptors can earn money by selling high-quality prints or copies of their work. There are two ways how you can turn your art into high-quality posters: Digitize your artwork with the help of professional photography or scanning.
Is it worth trying to become a writer? ›Writing is a fun, dynamic career, and it can be a lucrative field. But writing isn't a get-rich-quick scheme, no matter what personal-finance and side-hustle blogs will tell you. It's hard work, but the freedom and creativity make it worth it.
Is freelance writing oversaturated? ›The market is not too saturated. Yes, there are millions of people who identify as freelancers in the world. There are also millions of jobs for freelance writers of all types.