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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Writers and Authors

Median Salary
73,690
Job Outlook
+4%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

40%

Self-employed

39%

Private not for profit

12%

State and local government

6%

Federal Government

1%

What is the job outlook?

Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 15,100 openings for writers and authors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$39,460

10%

$73,690

Median

$98,570

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    46%

  • Some college

    35%

  • Associate's degree

    17%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Speech Communication and Rhetoric
  • Communication, General
  • Writing, General
  • Creative Writing
  • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other
  • Mass Communication/Media Studies
  • Journalism
  • Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
  • Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
  • Rhetoric and Composition
  • Broadcast Journalism
  • General Literature
  • Business/Corporate Communications, General
  • Playwriting and Screenwriting
  • Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Communication
  • Comedy Writing and Performance
  • Children's and Adolescent Literature
  • Literature, Other
  • Business/Corporate Communications, Other

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    Low

  • Technology Design and Control

    Low

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Low

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Sales and Marketing
  • English Language
  • Communications and Media
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Computers and Electronics

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Time Pressure

    High

  • Decision Making

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Responsibility

    Low

  • Physical Activity

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Artistic

You love creating things and expressing yourself through art, writing and music.

Enterprising

You love taking risks in business or personal projects — and have the leadership skills to back it up.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.