Occupation is in demand.
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 | $21.46 | $33.72 | $48.08 |
| Yearly | $44,656 | $70,130 | $100,003 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $22.81 | $36.92 | $42.95 |
| Yearly | $47,453 | $76,782 | $89,335 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $15.42 | $18.61 | $26.74 |
| Yearly | $32,073 | $38,709 | $55,611 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $24.58 | $37.53 | $49.69 |
| Yearly | $51,122 | $78,063 | $103,362 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $25.20 | $37.44 | $46.49 |
| Yearly | $52,417 | $77,884 | $96,697 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $24.63 | $38.34 | $51.25 |
| Yearly | $51,228 | $79,746 | $106,595 | |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area | Hourly | $25.70 | $26.98 | $30.34 |
| Yearly | $53,456 | $56,128 | $63,105 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $21.46 | $38.09 | $43.57 |
| Yearly | $44,654 | $79,226 | $90,618 | |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $29.15 | $34.88 | $55.20 |
| Yearly | $60,636 | $72,540 | $114,828 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $19.63 | $25.53 | $31.18 |
| Yearly | $40,832 | $53,097 | $64,860 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $18.08 | $25.67 | $35.42 |
| Yearly | $37,612 | $53,386 | $73,679 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $18.59 | $21.46 | $29.27 |
| Yearly | $38,663 | $44,654 | $60,865 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $29.78 | $35.23 | $42.91 |
| Yearly | $61,950 | $73,271 | $89,255 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $24.69 | $28.24 | $35.04 |
| Yearly | $51,357 | $58,736 | $72,898 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $17.48 | $29.61 | $44.03 |
| Yearly | $36,353 | $61,575 | $91,585 | |
| St Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $27.22 | $30.80 | $48.17 |
| Yearly | $56,615 | $64,070 | $100,192 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $21.46 | $32.97 | $42.00 |
| Yearly | $44,654 | $68,571 | $87,360 | |
| United States | Hourly | $28.00 | $36.98 | $49.01 |
| Yearly | $58,230 | $76,910 | $101,950 | |