Writers and Authors

People in this career originate and prepare written materials for various media. Their day-to-day work involves getting information, thinking creatively, and working with computers to draft and refine content. They must organize, plan, and prioritize their own work while interpreting complex information for their readers. Communication is a major part of the job, which includes interacting with people outside their organization and building strong interpersonal relationships.

Success in this field requires strong skills in writing, reading comprehension, active listening, and critical thinking. Writers must manage their time effectively and solve complex problems. They rely on a deep knowledge of the English language, communications, media, and marketing. This job fits people with artistic interests who value innovation, initiative, and intellectual curiosity. Because writing projects can change quickly, professionals need high levels of adaptability, perseverance, and a tolerance for ambiguity.

Entering this field typically requires a bachelor's degree. Because this occupation requires considerable preparation, most professionals also need several years of related work experience before they are hired as established writers or authors.

Students preparing for this career often choose college majors focused on communication and writing. Relevant majors include rhetoric and composition/writing studies, journalism, literature, communication and media studies, and business or corporate communications. Other helpful programs of study include drama, theatre arts, stagecraft, and family and consumer sciences business services.

The median annual pay for writers and authors is $76,910. This means half of the workers in this field earn more than this amount, and half earn less. The lowest 10% of earners make less than $44,310, while the highest 10% earn more than $139,870.

There are 47,940 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to change by -0.3%, which represents little or no change in the total number of jobs. Despite this flat growth, about 11,900 job openings are expected to become available each year.