What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Scriptwriter?

As of April 01, 2025, the average hourly pay of Scriptwriter in the United States is $28. While Salary.com is seeing that the highest pay for Scriptwriter in the US can go up to $36 and the lowest down to $21, but most earn between $24 and $32. Salary.com shows the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Scriptwriter in the United States.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Scriptwriter Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Hourly Pay Rate Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Scriptwriter Salary $21 US April 01, 2025
25th Percentile Scriptwriter Salary $24 US April 01, 2025
50th Percentile Scriptwriter Salary $28 US April 01, 2025
75th Percentile Scriptwriter Salary $32 US April 01, 2025
90th Percentile Scriptwriter Salary $36 US April 01, 2025
25% $24 10% $21 90% $36 75% $32 $28 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
Change Search Criteria

What is a Scriptwriter ?

A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter for short), scriptwriter or scenarist, is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based....

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/18/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

See user submitted job responsibilities for Scriptwriter.

Job Openings for Scriptwriter

Career Path for this job

  1. This Job:

    Scriptwriter

    0 - 2 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. Up a level:

    Senior Producer

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

Understand the total hourly compensation opportunity for a Scriptwriter, hourly wage plus other pay elements

Average Hourly Wage

Core compensation

 
 
 
24
32
28

Average Total Hourly Cash Compensation

Includes base and short-term incentives

 
 
 
24
32
28
These charts show the average hourly wage (core compensation), as well as the average total hourly cash compensation for the job of Scriptwriter in the United States. The average hourly rate for Scriptwriter ranges from $24 to $32 with the average hourly pay of $28. The total hourly cash compensation, which includes base and short-term incentives, can vary anywhere from $24 to $32 with the average total hourly cash compensation of $28.

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.

24
32

 

Recently searched related titles: Assistant Producer, Audio Producer, Design Producer

Jobs with a similar salary range to Scriptwriter : Certified Pedorthotist, Integrated Producer, Editorial Producer