# Writers and Authors

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/writers-and-authors
- SOC code: 27-3043.00
- Career family: Arts, design and media
- Median annual pay: $76,910 (10th percentile $44,310, 90th percentile $139,870)
- Projected growth: Little or no change, -0.3%
- Openings a year: 11,900
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code AEC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 0 |
| Investigative (I) | 38 |
| Artistic (A) | 95 |
| Social (S) | 31 |
| Enterprising (E) | 63 |
| Conventional (C) | 39 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 92/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 92/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 87/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 86/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 82/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 81/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 79/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 78/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 76/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 75/100)

## Skills

Writing, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Time Management, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Learning, Persuasion

## Knowledge

English Language, Communications and Media, Administrative, Computers and Electronics, Sales and Marketing, Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management, Psychology, Economics and Accounting, Education and Training

## Also called

Ad Copywriter (Advertisement Copywriter), Ad Writer (Advertisement Writer), Advertising Copywriter, Advertising Writer, Article Writer, Author, Biographer, Blurb Writer, Business Writer, Content Creator

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Communication and Media Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0901) (CIP 0901, 1,386 colleges)
- [Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5005) (CIP 5005, 1,130 colleges)
- [Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2313) (CIP 2313, 792 colleges)
- [Journalism](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0904) (CIP 0904, 544 colleges)
- [Literature](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2314) (CIP 2314, 121 colleges)
- [Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0999) (CIP 0999, 113 colleges)
- [Business/Corporate Communications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5205) (CIP 5205, 74 colleges)
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services (CIP 1902, 29 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Pennsylvania UPENN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pennsylvania-upenn-3009) | Communication and Media Studies | $65,287 | $114,266 | not reported |
| [Northwestern University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northwestern-university-illinois-1966) | Communication and Media Studies | $64,034 | $93,541 | $19,500 |
| [Syracuse University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/syracuse-university-2667) | Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | $67,165 | $90,210 | $24,250 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Communication and Media Studies | $63,499 | $88,463 | $10,000 |
| [Santa Clara University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/santa-clara-university-2371) | Communication and Media Studies | $62,295 | $84,206 | $19,000 |
| [Boston College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/boston-college-285) | Communication and Media Studies | $56,442 | $83,586 | $18,967 |
| [Lehigh University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/lehigh-university-1472) | Journalism | $65,957 | $81,935 | $23,250 |
| [George Washington University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-washington-university-1066) | Journalism | $53,658 | $81,927 | $19,875 |

## Related careers

- [Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/poets-lyricists-and-creative-writers): $76,910 median pay
- [Public Relations Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/public-relations-specialists): $74,750 median pay
- [Advertising Sales Agents](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/advertising-sales-agents): $64,820 median pay
- [Search Marketing Strategists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/search-marketing-strategists): $78,760 median pay
- [Editors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/editors): $77,920 median pay
- [Advertising and Promotions Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/advertising-and-promotions-managers): $133,660 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.