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Writers and Authors

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure

What they do

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

Kinds of work

  • Artistic: Creating, designing and expressing ideas through art, writing, music or performance.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $76,910 Median per year · $36.98/hr Most earn $44,310–$139,870

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.
  • Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
  • Work with staff to develop script, story, or advertising concepts.
  • Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
  • Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product's selling features should be promoted.
  • Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.

Job outlook

United States
About the same number of jobs by 2035, little or no change · about 11,900 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Self-employed (their own business)64.8%
  • Advertising, public relations, and related services4.2%
  • Independent artists, writers, and performers4.1%
  • Management, scientific, and technical consulting services2.7%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools2.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Most writers and authors start with a bachelor's degree and then spend about 1 to 2 years in entry-level writing work before they are doing this job. It is not usually something you can step into straight out of school, but a strong portfolio and early writing jobs can get you there.

  1. Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or communications

    4 years

    You build strong writing, reading, and research skills and start producing work for a portfolio, which employers look at closely.

  2. Reporter (entry-level writing job)

    1-2 years

    Working as a reporter or staff writer gives you steady practice writing on deadline, editing your own work, and building published clips.

  3. Writer and Author

    Ongoing

    You create stories, scripts, articles, or ad copy, often as a freelancer or on a company's writing team, using the portfolio and experience you built earlier.

Where it can lead

  1. Editor

    2-4 years of experience first

    Editors shift from writing most of the material to planning, shaping, and improving other people's work, which requires a strong track record and good judgment about quality.

  2. Advertising and Promotions Manager

    2-4 years of experience first

    Managers lead teams and campaigns rather than writing every piece, so you need proven results from writing or marketing work and skills in planning and managing people.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take English and writing-focused classesStrong reading and writing skills are the foundation for every type of writing career.
  • Join the school newspaper, literary magazine, or yearbookWorking on real deadlines and publishing your work gives you clips and teaches you how editing works.
  • Enter writing contestsCompetitions give you feedback and something concrete to add to your resume or portfolio.
  • Volunteer to write for a local organizationWriting newsletters, flyers, or social media posts for a library, club, or nonprofit builds real-world experience.
  • Start a blog or creative writing projectRegular writing builds a habit and gives you samples to show future employers or college admissions staff.

In college

  • Major in English, journalism, or communicationsThese majors include the writing practice and courses in editing and media that employers expect for this career.
  • Write for the campus newspaper, magazine, or radio stationPublished work on a campus outlet builds clips and experience working to deadlines.
  • Get a writing internship or part-time jobWorking at a local paper, marketing office, or publishing house gives you paid experience that matches the 1 to 2 years usually needed before this job.
  • Take a course in digital media or content creationMany writing jobs now involve websites, social media, and video scripts, so these skills make you more competitive.
  • Build a portfolio websiteA simple online portfolio makes it easy for employers and clients to see your range and best work.

Tips for getting started

  • Start a portfolio now with class essays, blog posts, school newspaper articles, or short stories, and keep copies of everything you publish.
  • Read widely in the kinds of writing you want to do, such as news, fiction, or ads, and notice what makes them work.
  • Look for writing jobs or internships early, even unpaid or part-time ones, because the experience usually matters as much as the degree.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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