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Writers and Authors average salary by city in California
- San Jose$120,540
- Santa Rosa$113,000
- Oxnard$102,320
- San Diego$101,560
- Los Angeles$98,070
- San Luis Obispo$94,260
- Sacramento$92,290
- Riverside$88,320
- Santa Maria$84,700
- Bakersfield$81,820
- Fresno$78,550
Pay, take-home pay and cost of living
| City | Average | Median | 25th pct. | Take-home* | Cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $120,540 | $118,810 | $85,700 | $86,512 | 110 |
| Santa Rosa | $113,000 | $107,700 | $71,820 | $81,909 | 108 |
| Oxnard | $102,320 | $82,920 | $68,850 | $75,388 | 111 |
| San Diego | $101,560 | $82,590 | $63,330 | $74,924 | 112 |
| Los Angeles | $98,070 | $77,250 | $75,270 | $72,794 | 114 |
| San Luis Obispo | $94,260 | $86,340 | $68,790 | $70,468 | 109 |
| Sacramento | $92,290 | $82,690 | $69,770 | $69,265 | 107 |
| Riverside | $88,320 | $78,990 | $59,490 | $66,841 | 106 |
| Santa Maria | $84,700 | $74,820 | $51,730 | $64,631 | 109 |
| Bakersfield | $81,820 | $73,600 | $62,080 | $62,873 | 101 |
| Fresno | $78,550 | $77,060 | $59,280 | $60,877 | 102 |
*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Writers and Authors salary in other states
More about pay in California
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-3043.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
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