Writers and Authors Salary in Tennessee

Writers and authors in Tennessee earn the most in Knoxville (average $77,230 a year) and the least in Kingsport ($57,820), across the 5 Tennessee metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the writers and authors average at $66,180 and the median at $58,870 for 1,260 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $86,090.

Writers and Authors average salary by city in Tennessee

Knoxville$77,230
Nashville$68,520
Chattanooga$65,470
Memphis$63,350
Kingsport$57,820

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Knoxville	$77,230	$63,080	$47,120	$63,161	93
Nashville	$68,520	$63,270	$53,790	$57,034	96
Chattanooga	$65,470	$61,400	$45,570	$54,785	91
Memphis	$63,350	$58,480	$49,210	$53,082	92
Kingsport	$57,820	$57,600	$40,690	$48,638	86

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Tennessee has no state income tax. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Writers and Authors salary in other states

Writers and Authors salary by city and state

More about pay in Tennessee

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.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.