Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
A college degree in English, communications, or journalism is generally required for a full-time position as a writer or author. Experience gained through internships or any writing that improves skill, such as blogging, is beneficial. PayThe median annual wage for writers and authors was $76,910 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of writers and authors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 11,900 openings for writers and authors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for writers and authors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of writers and authors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about writers and authors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for writers and authors was $76,910 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of writers and authors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 11,900 openings for writers and authors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for writers and authors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of writers and authors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about writers and authors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of writers and authors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 11,900 openings for writers and authors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for writers and authors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of writers and authors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about writers and authors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Writers and authors develop written content for various types of media.
Work Environment
Writers and authors may work anywhere they have access to a computer. Many writers and authors are self-employed.
How to Become a Writer or Author
A college degree in English, communications, or journalism is generally required for a full-time position as a writer or author. Experience gained through internships or any writing that improves skill, such as blogging, is beneficial.
Pay
The median annual wage for writers and authors was $76,910 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of writers and authors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 11,900 openings for writers and authors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for writers and authors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of writers and authors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about writers and authors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Writers and authors may work anywhere they have access to a computer. Many writers and authors are self-employed.
How to Become a Writer or Author
A college degree in English, communications, or journalism is generally required for a full-time position as a writer or author. Experience gained through internships or any writing that improves skill, such as blogging, is beneficial.
Pay
The median annual wage for writers and authors was $76,910 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of writers and authors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 11,900 openings for writers and authors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for writers and authors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of writers and authors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about writers and authors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for writers and authors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of writers and authors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about writers and authors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about writers and authors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.