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State comparison · 2025

Writers and Authors salary: District of Columbia vs West Virginia

Occupation

Writers and Authors in District of Columbia earn a median of $129,300. In West Virginia, $64,410. After cost-of-living, the gap is 63.5% — not 100.7%.

Nominal pay gap
+100.7%
District of Columbia vs West Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+63.5%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

District of Columbia

Writers and Authors

Median
$129,300
p25
$100,320
p75
$158,020
p10
$74,990
p90
$172,480
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
109.9
See full breakdown for District of Columbia

West Virginia

Writers and Authors

Median
$64,410
p25
$47,530
p75
$72,340
p10
$24,340
p90
$103,380
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
89.5
See full breakdown for West Virginia

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.