Jobs Similar to Writers and Authors
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to writers and authors, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Poets (Lyricists and Creative Writers), News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists and Public Relations Specialists.
Writers and Authors: $76,910 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Writers and Authors) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poets, Lyricists and Creative WritersSame group | 83% | $76,910Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | News Analysts, Reporters, and JournalistsSame group | 82% | $62,200−19% | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Public Relations SpecialistsSame group | 79% | $74,750−3% | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | EditorsSame group | 78% | $77,920+1% | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Talent Directors | 77% | $90,360Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc JockeysSame group | 76% | $47,340−38% | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Producers and Directors | 75% | $90,360+17% | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Art Directors | 74% | $114,850+49% | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Public Relations Managers | 74% | $146,910+91% | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | 74% | $82,890+8% | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Music Directors and Composers | 73% | $73,710−4% | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Advertising Sales Agents | 73% | $64,820−16% | Training or associate |
| 13 | Search Marketing Strategists | 73% | $78,760Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Graphic Designers | 73% | $62,960−18% | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Film and Video Editors | 72% | $75,420−2% | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 71% | $78,760+2% | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Advertising and Promotions Managers | 71% | $133,660+74% | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Special Effects Artists and Animators | 71% | $102,030+33% | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Fundraisers | 70% | $72,550−6% | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Fundraising Managers | 69% | $125,470+63% | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
83% similar · $76,910 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
82% similar · $62,200 (−19%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Public Relations Specialists
79% similar · $74,750 (−3%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 4Editors
78% similar · $77,920 (+1%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Talent Directors
77% similar · $90,360 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 6Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
76% similar · $47,340 (−38%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Producers and Directors
75% similar · $90,360 (+17%) · Bachelor's degree
- 8Art Directors
74% similar · $114,850 (+49%) · Bachelor's degree
- 9Public Relations Managers
74% similar · $146,910 (+91%) · Bachelor's degree
- 10Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
74% similar · $82,890 (+8%) · Bachelor's degree
- 11Music Directors and Composers
73% similar · $73,710 (−4%) · Bachelor's degree
- 12Advertising Sales Agents
73% similar · $64,820 (−16%) · Training or associate
- 13Search Marketing Strategists
73% similar · $78,760 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 14Graphic Designers
73% similar · $62,960 (−18%) · Bachelor's degree
- 15Film and Video Editors
72% similar · $75,420 (−2%) · Bachelor's degree
- 16Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
71% similar · $78,760 (+2%) · Bachelor's degree
- 17Advertising and Promotions Managers
71% similar · $133,660 (+74%) · Bachelor's degree
- 18Special Effects Artists and Animators
71% similar · $102,030 (+33%) · Bachelor's degree
- 19Fundraisers
70% similar · $72,550 (−6%) · Bachelor's degree
- 20Fundraising Managers
69% similar · $125,470 (+63%) · Bachelor's degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than writers and authors.
- Public Relations Managers74% similar · $146,910 (+91%)
- Advertising and Promotions Managers71% similar · $133,660 (+74%)
- Fundraising Managers69% similar · $125,470 (+63%)
- Art Directors74% similar · $114,850 (+49%)
- Special Effects Artists and Animators71% similar · $102,030 (+33%)
- Producers and Directors75% similar · $90,360 (+17%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for writers and authors also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where writers and authors is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes (84)
- Talent Directors (84)
- Producers and Directors (79)
- Graphic Designers (77)
- Music Directors and Composers (77)
- Search Marketing Strategists (77)
- Film and Video Editors (76)
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists (75)
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers (75)
- Advertising Sales Agents (72)
Questions about jobs like writers and authors
What jobs are most similar to writers and authors?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Poets (Lyricists and Creative Writers) (83% similar), News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists (82% similar), Public Relations Specialists (79% similar), Editors (78% similar) and Talent Directors (77% similar).
Which jobs like writers and authors pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Public Relations Managers ($146,910, +91%; usually a bachelor's degree), Advertising and Promotions Managers ($133,660, +74%; usually a bachelor's degree) and Fundraising Managers ($125,470, +63%; usually a bachelor's degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with writers and authors ($76,910). Without more preparation than writers and authors usually need: Public Relations Managers, Advertising and Promotions Managers and Fundraising Managers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.