Writers and Authors
Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
Also called: Ad Copywriter (Advertisement Copywriter), Ad Writer (Advertisement Writer), Advertising Copywriter, Advertising Writer, Article Writer, Author
Median pay
$76,910
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$44,310 – $139,870
People employed
47,940
Holland code
AEC
Artistic · Enterprising · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 6.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 7.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 8.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Writers and Authors pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (42 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What writers and authors do
- 01Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
- 02Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
- 03Present drafts and ideas to clients.
- 04Edit or rewrite existing written material as necessary, and submit written material for approval by supervisor, editor, or publisher.
- 05Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
- 06Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
Skills that matter most
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- English Language
- Communications and Media
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Sales and Marketing
Work styles that stand out
- Innovation
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from writers and authors
- Search Marketing Strategists83% · group pay
- Producers and Directors82% · +17%
- Art Directors81% · +49%
- Talent Directors81% · group pay
- Public Relations Managers78% · +91%
Change into writers and authors
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes84% · $82,890
- Talent Directors84% · $90,360
- Producers and Directors79% · $90,360
- Graphic Designers77% · $62,960
- Music Directors and Composers77% · $73,710
Majors that lead here
- Communication, General
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- Mass Communication/Media Studies
- Journalism
- Broadcast Journalism
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Communication
- Writing, General
- Creative Writing
- Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
- Rhetoric and Composition
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.