Writers and Editors
SOC 27-3040
The median annual wage for Writers and Editors is $76,020, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $86,120, and an estimated 193,130 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +12.2% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -4.7% (pay did not keep up with inflation).
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Writers and Editors has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $76,020 | $76,020 | 193,130 |
| 2022 | $75,080 | $78,171 | 204,060 |
| 2021 | $71,640 | $80,558 | 185,810 |
| 2020 | $67,730 | $79,740 | 186,490 |
Nominal change
+12.2%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-4.7%
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$40,920
25th Pct
$55,660
Median
$76,020
75th Pct
$101,470
90th Pct
$136,870
Related Occupations in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports & Media
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