How Much Do Writers and Authors Make in Illinois?
Median wage from BLS May 2025 — and the after-tax number the salary sites skip. Tax year 2026.
Quick answer
According to payandtaxes.com's analysis of BLS May 2025 data and 2026 tax law, the median Writers and Authors in Illinois earns $68,220 per year and takes home $53,591 ($4,466/month) — a keep-rate of 78.6%, with 2,640 employed in the state.
Free. No signup. Single filer, standard deduction — full model.
| Gross pay | $5,685.00 |
| Federal income tax | $514.86 |
| Social Security | $352.47 |
| Medicare | $82.43 |
| Illinois state income tax | $269.34 |
| You keep | $4,465.90 |
How much do Writers and Authors make in Illinois?
The median Writers and Authors in Illinois earns $68,220 per year (BLS May 2025), about $32.80 per hour.
What is that after taxes?
$68,220 gross in Illinois keeps $53,591 after federal income tax ($6,178), FICA ($5,219) and state income tax ($3,232) — $4,466 per month, a 78.6% keep-rate.
How does Illinois compare to the national median for Writers and Authors?
The Illinois median is $8,690 below the national median of $76,910.
Which state pays Writers and Authors the most?
Washington DC has the highest median gross for Writers and Authors at $129,300 — but compare take-home, not gross: state taxes change the order.
Writers and Authors salary in every state · Illinois paycheck calculator · Illinois minimum wage