Authors, writers and translators salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£36,865
Employment patterns
- 62% of Authors, writers work full-time
- 64% are self-employed
- 92% of employees have permanent contracts
Understanding Authors, writers and translators pay in the UK
The typical authors, writers and translators in the UK earns a median salary of £36,865 in 2025/26. These figures come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so they reflect actual reported pay rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges.
The mean (average) salary is higher, at £41,707. When the mean sits above the median like this, a smaller group of high earners is pulling the average up, which is why the median is the better guide to what a typical authors, writers and translators actually takes home.
Employment patterns shape these numbers too: Around 64% of Authors, writers are self-employed, well above most occupations, so the employee pay above will not capture earnings for those working for themselves; only 62% work full-time, so part-time and flexible roles are common in this field.
Where you work changes the picture: authors, writers and translators pay ranges from £17,006 in West Midlands up to £39,878 in North West, a difference of £22,872 (134%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see authors, writers and translators pay in North West or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
North West is the highest-paying region for authors, writers and translators at £39,878 — 8% above the UK median. West Midlands is lowest at £17,006.
UK median £36,865
| Region | Median payUK median £36,865 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North West | £39,878 | £39,878 | £41,277 | +8% |
| London | £39,872 | £39,872 | Value unavailable | +8% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £29,867 | £29,867 | £32,375 | -19% |
| Wales | £26,972 | £26,972 | £27,902 | -27% |
| North East | £22,665 | £22,665 | £23,402 | -39% |
| South East | £21,333 | £21,333 | £21,539 | -42% |
| East Midlands | £20,878 | £20,878 | £21,883 | -43% |
| East of England | £19,217 | £19,217 | £20,003 | -48% |
| West Midlands | £17,006 | £17,006 | £17,795 | -54% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| North West £39,878 | £39,878Mean £41,277 | +8% |
| London £39,872 | £39,872 | +8% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £29,867 | £29,867Mean £32,375 | -19% |
| Wales £26,972 | £26,972Mean £27,902 | -27% |
| North East £22,665 | £22,665Mean £23,402 | -39% |
| South East £21,333 | £21,333Mean £21,539 | -42% |
| East Midlands £20,878 | £20,878Mean £21,883 | -43% |
| East of England £19,217 | £19,217Mean £20,003 | -48% |
| West Midlands £17,006 | £17,006Mean £17,795 | -54% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£36,865); ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to it. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
Make it local
Calculate take-home pay for your region
Choose a region above to see local authors, writers and translators pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow authors, writers and translators pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for authors, writers and translators by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
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