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Writers and Authors

Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed

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

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $76,910/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$44,310$139,870

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +3.6% projected growth, 20242034 — about as fast as average.

About 13,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
WritingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationActive LearningPersuasion
Top knowledge areas
English LanguageSales and MarketingCommunications and MediaCustomer and Personal ServiceComputers and ElectronicsMathematicsAdministrativeAdministration and Management
Core tasks

Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.

Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.

Present drafts and ideas to clients.

Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.

Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.

Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Writers and Authors?

The median pay for Writers and Authors is $76,910 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Writers and Authors?

Employment for Writers and Authors is projected to change +3.6% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Writers and Authors?

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Writers and Authors?

About 13,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.