Poets (Lyricists and Creative Writers) Salary by State
The national median pay for poets (lyricists and creative writers) is $76,910 a year. By state, it ranges from $47,970 in Arkansas to $129,300 in District of Columbia. These figures are for the broader BLS group “Writers and Authors”.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $44,310
- 25th percentile
- $58,230
- Median
- $76,910
- 75th percentile
- $101,950
- Top 10%
- $139,870
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job (broader BLS group “Writers and Authors”). About 47,940 jobs.
Median pay in 42 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $129,300 | +68% | $74,990 | $172,480 | 1,050 |
| 2 | Maryland | $104,330 | +36% | $59,560 | $165,050 | 540 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $98,460 | +28% | $52,250 | $153,560 | 480 |
| 4 | Vermont | $94,430 | +23% | $73,290 | $132,810 | 110 |
| 5 | Louisiana | $89,520 | +16% | $29,740 | $114,810 | 480 |
| 6 | California | $86,480 | +12% | $56,730 | $193,080 | 8,390 |
| 7 | Washington | $85,700 | +11% | $50,600 | $129,480 | 770 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $85,260 | +11% | $58,910 | $138,950 | 1,350 |
| 9 | Virginia | $85,000 | +11% | $44,190 | $131,040 | 1,530 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $81,590 | +6% | $49,770 | $128,820 | 1,180 |
| 11 | Oregon | $80,540 | +5% | $46,180 | $158,190 | 950 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $77,410 | +1% | $40,270 | $178,490 | 1,080 |
| 13 | Colorado | $76,830 | 0% | $42,810 | $132,630 | 1,300 |
| 14 | Indiana | $75,820 | −1% | $51,640 | $128,640 | 450 |
| 15 | Georgia | $74,710 | −3% | $38,460 | $133,540 | 820 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $72,810 | −5% | $50,700 | $103,890 | 720 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $71,830 | −7% | $43,200 | $132,870 | 180 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $70,190 | −9% | $42,060 | $130,000 | 110 |
| 19 | Texas | $69,990 | −9% | $49,070 | $125,240 | 2,320 |
| 20 | Illinois | $68,220 | −11% | $41,830 | $134,400 | 2,640 |
| 21 | Florida | $68,080 | −11% | $41,650 | $102,540 | 3,010 |
| 22 | Alabama | $66,950 | −13% | $39,830 | $115,210 | 180 |
| 23 | Ohio | $65,930 | −14% | $40,190 | $101,710 | 830 |
| 24 | Kansas | $65,840 | −14% | $30,920 | $92,660 | 240 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $65,470 | −15% | $44,230 | $93,600 | 240 |
| 26 | Utah | $64,530 | −16% | $36,260 | $101,460 | 410 |
| 27 | West Virginia | $64,410 | −16% | $24,340 | $103,380 | 110 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $64,370 | −16% | $47,410 | $90,880 | 710 |
| 29 | Nevada | $63,910 | −17% | $40,560 | $83,130 | 190 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $63,660 | −17% | $42,180 | $117,820 | 1,810 |
| 31 | Iowa | $61,010 | −21% | $48,260 | $88,560 | 290 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $58,870 | −23% | $38,720 | $100,910 | 1,260 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $58,770 | −24% | $38,230 | $98,230 | 220 |
| 34 | Missouri | $58,140 | −24% | $42,000 | $98,930 | 600 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $56,700 | −26% | $45,760 | $68,890 | 60 |
| 36 | Idaho | $56,360 | −27% | $44,660 | $108,890 | 90 |
| 37 | Arizona | $55,990 | −27% | $42,300 | $90,990 | 600 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $54,180 | −30% | $25,820 | $85,550 | 130 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $51,920 | −32% | $38,210 | $91,140 | 520 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $50,860 | −34% | $35,000 | $83,920 | 80 |
| 41 | Wyoming | $49,650 | −35% | $41,170 | $66,510 | Not published |
| 42 | Kentucky | $48,780 | −37% | $39,580 | $76,010 | 350 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $47,970 | −38% | $30,560 | $79,350 | 270 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates for the broader group “Writers and Authors”. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Poets (Lyricists and Creative Writers) salary questions
Which state pays poets (lyricists and creative writers) the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $129,300 a year (+68% vs. the national median of $76,910). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays poets (lyricists and creative writers) the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $47,970 a year (−38% vs. national).
Where do most poets (lyricists and creative writers) work?
California has the most jobs, about 8,390, with a median of $86,480.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.