Writer and Author Salary in Boston, MA
Writers and Authors in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $85,260 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,767 take-home, or $5,397 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median writer and author salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,927
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,286
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,236
- Massachusetts income tax$4,043
- Take-home pay$64,767
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Writer and Author pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,150 | $28.44 | $46,970 | $3,914 |
| 25th percentile | $72,400 | $34.81 | $56,363 | $4,697 |
| Median (50th) | $85,260 | $40.99 | $64,767 | $5,397 |
| 75th percentile | $108,030 | $51.94 | $79,648 | $6,637 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,950 | $66.80 | $99,511 | $8,293 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $85,260 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median writer and author's $64,767 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,822 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.4× the national concentration of writer and author jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for writers and authors, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #6 of 13 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $108,460 | $78,881 | $72,445 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $98,730 | $78,287 | $70,444 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $84,130 | $65,433 | $63,803 |
| 4 | Atlanta, GA | $81,990 | $62,877 | $62,841 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $87,560 | $63,597 | $60,326 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $85,260 | $64,767 | $59,822 |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $75,760 | $59,158 | $58,982 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $75,940 | $58,640 | $56,605 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 13 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a writer and author make in Boston, MA?
The median writer and author salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $85,260 a year, or about $40.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $72,400 and $108,030.
What is a writer and author’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $85,260 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $64,767 a year ($5,397 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,043 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a writer and author?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $76,910. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,822 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #6 of 13 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a writer and author afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median writer and author’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Art Director — $151,820
- Technical Writer — $111,750
- Fashion Designer — $106,630
- Commercial and Industrial Designer — $102,530
- Editor — $86,410
- Producer and Director — $83,850
- Interior Designer — $81,480
- Public Relations Specialist — $81,440
- Graphic Designer — $78,270
- Interpreter and Translator — $75,120
- News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists — $62,750
- Coach and Scout — $56,220