Writers and Authors
SOC code 27-3043 · O*NET-SOC 27-3043.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Writers and Authors 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.
- 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 writers and authors do?
Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
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.
- Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
- Present drafts and ideas to clients.
- Edit or rewrite existing written material as necessary, and submit written material for approval by supervisor, editor, or publisher.
- Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
- Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
- Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
- Write advertising material for use by publication, broadcast, or internet media to promote the sale of goods and services.
How to qualify for this work
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.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a writers and authors 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 writers and authors 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 writers and authors 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
- Writing5.0/5
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language5.0/5
- Communications and Media4.4/5
- Administrative3.2/5
- Sales and Marketing3.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.9/5
- Administration and Management2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Time Management, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness.