Salary distribution
Where San Diego writers and authors fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $64,380 and $101,740, with a median of $71,390.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
Less than 5 years
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 5.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Writing
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Written Expression
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
Communications and Media
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
- 02
Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
- 03
Present drafts and ideas to clients.
- 04
Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
- 05
Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.
- 06
Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
- 07
Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product's selling features should be promoted.
- 08
Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for writers and authors.
- San Jose$107,810
- San Francisco$97,680
- Sacramento$80,470
- Los Angeles$79,080
- Riverside$65,930
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Writers and Authors in San Diego, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Writers and Authors in the San Diego metropolitan area is $71,390.
- Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Writers and Authors?
- The San Diego metro median is -11.3% versus the California state median of $80,470.
- How does San Diego compare to the national median for Writers and Authors?
- The San Diego metro median is +17.4% versus the BLS national figure of $60,817.
- What is the salary range for Writers and Authors in San Diego?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $47,410 and the 90th-percentile at $155,480 for the San Diego metro area.
- What education is required for Writers and Authors?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Diego CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.