Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
SOC code 27-3043 · O*NET-SOC 27-3043.05 · Considerable preparation needed
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$76,910
a year
Hourly
$36.98
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$86,090
$41.39 per hour
Middle 50%
$58,230 – $101,950
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$44,310 – $139,870
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
47,940
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Writers and Authors”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $44,310
- $21.31/hr
- 25th percentile
- $58,230
- $28.00/hr
- Median percentile
- $76,910
- $36.98/hr
- 75th percentile
- $101,950
- $49.01/hr
- 90th percentile
- $139,870
- $67.25/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+4%
Growing faster than average
135,400
jobs in 2024
140,300
projected for 2034
About 4,900 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do poets, lyricists and creative writers do?
Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
- Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
- Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
- Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
- Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
- Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.
- Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
- Write words to fit musical compositions, including lyrics for operas, musical plays, and choral works.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 32% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree32%
- Some College Courses27%
- Less than a High School Diploma14%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)9%
Common questions
How much does a poets, lyricists and creative writers earn?
The national median is $76,910 a year. The full range runs from $44,310 at the 10th percentile to $139,870 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a poets, lyricists and creative writers without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is poets, lyricists and creative writers in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 4% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Writing4.8/5
- Reading Comprehension4.3/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
- Active Listening3.6/5
- Learning Strategies2.8/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.7/5
- Communications and Media4.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Administrative3.3/5
- Sales and Marketing3.2/5
- Fine Arts3.1/5
- Psychology2.8/5
- History and Archeology2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving.