Authors


Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications > Authors > Wages & Trends
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Authors

Authors - Wages & Trends

Wages vary by employer and the writer's reputation. Many writers are self-employed and sell individual articles to magazines. Others work for a commission, or a percentage of the amount a book is sold for. Some writers obtain grants to support the time they devote to their writing. Many writers have another job that supports them, and write in their free time.

Writers who are not self-employed and work full time may receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Writers and authors (SOC 27-3043)
Location
Pay Period
25%
Median
75%
Illinois Hourly $25.71 $35.20 $42.15
Yearly $53,482 $73,224 $87,668
    Champaign Area Hourly $18.67 $29.94 $35.12
Yearly $38,832 $62,269 $73,050
    Cook County Hourly $29.47 $37.20 $42.85
Yearly $61,306 $77,371 $89,128
    Lake County Hourly $29.35 $37.20 $42.22
Yearly $61,045 $77,371 $87,815
    Mt. Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area Hourly $14.78 $18.55 $27.29
Yearly $30,741 $38,585 $56,754
    Peoria-Bloomington Area Hourly $17.66 $27.74 $38.53
Yearly $36,738 $57,697 $80,134
    Rock Island-Moline Area Hourly $21.51 $27.46 $39.75
Yearly $44,725 $57,109 $82,678
    Rockford Area Hourly $26.26 $34.24 $44.50
Yearly $54,624 $71,208 $92,558
    Springfield Area Hourly $12.57 $17.60 $30.37
Yearly $26,143 $36,620 $63,179
    St. Louis-Belleville Area Hourly $13.28 $19.92 $28.69
Yearly $27,616 $41,427 $59,669
    Will County Hourly $24.22 $35.20 $42.15
Yearly $50,367 $73,224 $87,668
United States Hourly $24.51 $35.17 $50.48
Yearly $50,980 $73,150 $105,000

Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security.