As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Staff Writer in the US is $66,420, equivalent to $32 per hour, $1,277 weekly, or $5,535 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Staff Writer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Staff Writer in the US vary widely, spanning from $55,175 to $81,165. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($60,534) and 75th percentile ($74,138), while top earners (90th percentile) make $81,165 per year. This $13,604 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or Digital Content, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Staff Writer often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 30 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Staff Writer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Staff Writer Salary $55,175 US January 01, 2026
25th Percentile Staff Writer Salary $60,534 US January 01, 2026
50th Percentile Staff Writer Salary $66,420 US January 01, 2026
75th Percentile Staff Writer Salary $74,138 US January 01, 2026
90th Percentile Staff Writer Salary $81,165 US January 01, 2026
25% $60,534 10% $55,175 90% $81,165 75% $74,138 $66,420 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
Change Search Criteria
Check out Staff Writer jobs in the United States

Communications Specialist/Staff Writer with Security Clearance

TMGL LLC, 540-439-2470/ 703-407-2744/ phil.bower@tmgl-llc.com - FORT BELVOIR, VA

Staff Physical Therapist

Optim Orthopedics - BRUNSWICK, GA

Search More Staff Writer Jobs in the United States

What is a Staff Writer ?

In journalism, a staff writer byline indicates that the author of the article is an employee of the periodical, as opposed to being an independent freelance writer. In Britain, staff writers may work in the office instead of traveling to cover a beat. In an advertising agency, copywriting is the main responsibility of staff writers. In television, a staff writer is the probationary, entry-level position in the "writers room"; that is, the team that creates a television series....

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/17/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

See user submitted job responsibilities for Staff Writer.

Job Openings for Staff Writer

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Staff Writer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
60534
74138
66420

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
64809
79149
70697
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Staff Writer in the United States. The base salary for Staff Writer ranges from $60,534 to $74,138 with the average base salary of $66,420. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $64,809 to $79,149 with the average total cash compensation of $70,697.

Discover how your pay is adjusted for skills, experience, and other factors

How much should you be paid?

For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

60534
74138

 

Recently searched related titles: Newspaper Publisher, Content Writer, Creative Content Producer

Jobs with a similar salary range to Staff Writer : Electric Utility Estimator, Seo Content Writer, Multimedia Content Creator