Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
Writers and Authors
SOC: 27-3043 O*NET: 27-3043.00
Median Salary
$72,270
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.6%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
13.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
What does a Writers and Authors do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$41,080
10th percentile
Early Career
$52,890
25th percentile
Median
$72,270
50th percentile
Experienced
$98,320
75th percentile
Top Earners
$133,680
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$41,080
25th
$52,890
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$72,270
Mean: $85,780
75th
$98,320
90th
$133,680
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $92,600 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $52,890 and $98,320
- •Salary spread is 62.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 47,800 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:135,400
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services30.1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services30.1%
Information25.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.6%
Annual Openings:13,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)135,400
Current
2034 (Projected)140,300
+3.6%
+4,900
Employment Change
+3.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Writers and Authors professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
California
8,950 jobs$80,4701.60x
New York
5,980 jobs$02.02x
Florida
2,440 jobs$65,8300.80x
North Carolina
2,170 jobs$63,7201.43x
Texas
2,100 jobs$71,6500.49x
Illinois
2,010 jobs$66,1801.07x
Virginia
1,630 jobs$80,9901.30x
New Jersey
1,610 jobs$75,6401.22x
Colorado
1,540 jobs$01.72x
Pennsylvania
1,360 jobs$58,1700.73x
Massachusetts
1,260 jobs$78,4401.12x
District of Columbia
1,240 jobs$121,1605.62x
Tennessee
1,220 jobs$58,6201.20x
Georgia
1,200 jobs$64,0700.80x
Minnesota
980 jobs$65,9001.08x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Writing
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Coordination
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Persuasion
40%
Skills Overview
Writing
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Coordination
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Writing
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Persuasion
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes82%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Health Education Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Public Relations Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Office Clerks, General73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Coordination
- →Social Perceptiveness
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Writers and Authors
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Asana
🔥 Hot TechSlack
🔥 Hot TechMySQL
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Analytics
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechFigma
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Asana
Slack
MySQL
Microsoft Access
Google Analytics
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Figma
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Planning & Development (3)Communication & Coordination (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Present drafts and ideas to clients.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product's selling features should be promoted.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination76% perform84%
10
Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Writers and Authors
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Writers and Authors professionals typically have a AEI Holland code and highly value achievement
AArtistic
EEnterprising
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Writers and Authors
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.86
Persistence
CriticalPersistence
Importance Level4.68
Initiative
CriticalInitiative
Importance Level4.61
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.59
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.52
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.31
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.9
Persistence
4.7
Initiative
4.6
Cooperation
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Self-Control
4.2
Independence
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Writers and Authors.
Browse Training Programs →