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Writer / Author

O*NET-SOC: 27-3043.00

Creative Arts

Creates original written content for books, magazines, websites, scripts, or other media, researching topics, developing narratives, and revising drafts to communicate ideas effectively.

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$72K

Median Salary

+4%

Stable

Bachelor's Degree

Min. Education

Good Balance

Work-Life Balance

About This Role The writer or author crafts narratives, articles, books, and scripts that inform, entertain, or provoke thought, spending days immersed in the dual worlds of creation and revision. A typical day unfolds at a desk cluttered with notes, laptops humming with open documents, and screens glowing with half-formed ideas; mornings might begin with freewriting to capture raw thoughts, followed by outlining plots or arguments, researching historical details for a novel set in Victorian London, or interviewing sources for a investigative piece on climate policy.

Responsibilities include deciding which scenes demand emotional depth - like heightening tension in a thriller's chase sequence - or trimming verbose exposition to maintain pace, all while tracking deadlines for publishers or editors who demand multiple drafts. This role suits introspective individuals with vivid imaginations and relentless curiosity, those who thrive on solitude yet relish the thrill of reader feedback, but it challenges with irregular income, self-doubt during creative blocks, and the grind of marketing one's work on social media or at book fairs. Rewarding moments come when a manuscript sparks a reader's epiphany or climbs bestseller lists, fostering a profound sense of impact; yet the isolation can weigh heavy, balanced only by the freedom to shape one's schedule around bursts of inspiration, perhaps writing in cozy cafes or late into the night as ideas flow unchecked.

Authors navigate rejections from agents, collaborate with illustrators on cover designs, or pivot genres based on market trends, constantly honing their voice amid evolving digital landscapes like self-publishing on platforms that democratize access but flood the market with competition.

A Day in the Life

8:00 AM

Morning Freewrite

Start the day by jotting unfiltered ideas in a journal to spark creativity before diving into structured work.

9:30 AM

Research Dive

Scour libraries or online archives for accurate details on topics like medieval weaponry for your fantasy novel.

11:00 AM

Draft New Chapter

Write 1,000 words of prose, building tension through character dialogue and sensory descriptions.

12:30 PM

Lunch Break

Step away for a meal and walk to clear your mind, perhaps brainstorming plot twists aloud.

1:30 PM

Revise Edits

Incorporate feedback from beta readers, cutting weak scenes and strengthening emotional arcs.

3:00 PM

Query Outreach

Draft pitches to literary agents or update your website with blog posts to build audience.

5:00 PM

Promotion Tasks

Schedule social media posts or engage with fans on forums to promote your latest release.

6:30 PM

Evening Wind-Down

Review progress and outline tomorrow's goals before reading for inspiration.

Tools & Technologies

• Graphics & Design

• Adobe Creative Cloud software

• Adobe Photoshop

• Canva

• Adobe Illustrator

• Video Editing

• TikTok

• Adobe After Effects

• Adobe Premiere Pro

• Apple Final Cut Pro

• Avid Technology Media Composer

• Word Processing

• Microsoft Word

• Google Docs

• Office Suites

• Microsoft Office

• Google Workspace software
• Web & Social Media

• Facebook

• WordPress

• Adobe Dreamweaver

• LinkedIn

• Social media sites

• Cloud Collaboration

• Asana

• Slack

• Google Drive

Salary Details

Salary Distribution

Salary distribution for Writer / Author: 10th percentile $41K, 25th $53K, median $72K, 75th $98K, 90th $134K Median $41K $53K $72K $98K $134K

Most professionals earn between $53K and $98K

Writer / Author salary percentile distribution Percentile Salary 10th $41K 25th $53K 50th (Median) $72K 75th $98K 90th $134K

Salary by State

Writer / Author salary by state map

Writer / Author salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range District of Columbia $121K $64K - $177K Maryland $108K $58K - $156K Washington $86K $51K - $130K Vermont $86K $55K - $100K Virginia $81K $48K - $134K Connecticut $81K $41K - $141K California $80K $46K - $163K Massachusetts $78K $49K - $137K Oregon $78K $47K - $128K New Jersey $76K $46K - $119K New Mexico $74K — Texas $72K $43K - $133K Louisiana $71K $27K - $108K Ohio $68K $38K - $98K West Virginia $67K $22K - $99K Illinois $66K $37K - $121K Minnesota $66K $47K - $104K Florida $66K $42K - $135K Idaho $65K $37K - $110K Maine $65K $33K - $102K Nebraska $64K $42K - $94K Georgia $64K $36K - $116K North Carolina $64K $36K - $101K Arizona $63K $38K - $99K Wisconsin $62K $47K - $92K Indiana $62K $47K - $103K Michigan $62K $36K - $82K Utah $61K $33K - $90K New Hampshire $61K $38K - $113K Montana $60K $45K - $84K Rhode Island $60K $37K - $102K Kansas $59K $16K - $100K Missouri $59K $40K - $100K South Dakota $59K $40K - $100K Tennessee $59K $41K - $91K Pennsylvania $58K $21K - $135K Delaware $57K $48K - $94K Alabama $57K $36K - $109K Iowa $55K $32K - $81K Oklahoma $53K $36K - $80K Nevada $53K $39K - $84K North Dakota $52K $33K - $74K South Carolina $52K $35K - $94K Mississippi $51K $27K - $84K Arkansas $46K $35K - $71K Kentucky $43K $35K - $75K

Writer / Author salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range District of Columbia $121K $64K - $177K Maryland $108K $58K - $156K Washington $86K $51K - $130K Vermont $86K $55K - $100K Virginia $81K $48K - $134K Connecticut $81K $41K - $141K California $80K $46K - $163K Massachusetts $78K $49K - $137K Oregon $78K $47K - $128K New Jersey $76K $46K - $119K New Mexico $74K — Texas $72K $43K - $133K Louisiana $71K $27K - $108K Ohio $68K $38K - $98K West Virginia $67K $22K - $99K Illinois $66K $37K - $121K Minnesota $66K $47K - $104K Florida $66K $42K - $135K Idaho $65K $37K - $110K Maine $65K $33K - $102K Nebraska $64K $42K - $94K Georgia $64K $36K - $116K North Carolina $64K $36K - $101K Arizona $63K $38K - $99K Wisconsin $62K $47K - $92K Indiana $62K $47K - $103K Michigan $62K $36K - $82K Utah $61K $33K - $90K New Hampshire $61K $38K - $113K Montana $60K $45K - $84K Rhode Island $60K $37K - $102K Kansas $59K $16K - $100K Missouri $59K $40K - $100K South Dakota $59K $40K - $100K Tennessee $59K $41K - $91K Pennsylvania $58K $21K - $135K Delaware $57K $48K - $94K Alabama $57K $36K - $109K Iowa $55K $32K - $81K Oklahoma $53K $36K - $80K Nevada $53K $39K - $84K North Dakota $52K $33K - $74K South Carolina $52K $35K - $94K Mississippi $51K $27K - $84K Arkansas $46K $35K - $71K Kentucky $43K $35K - $75K

Lower ($43K-$82K)Middle (~$82K)Higher ($82K-$121K)

Highest Paying States

• 1.District of Columbia$121K
• 2.Maryland$108K
• 3.Washington$86K
• 4.Vermont$86K
• 5.Virginia$81K

Lowest Paying States

• 1.Kentucky$43K
• 2.Arkansas$46K
• 3.Mississippi$51K
• 4.South Carolina$52K
• 5.North Dakota$52K

Certifications, Training & Memberships

Recommended

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)

Various Universities

Course

Advanced degree focusing on craft, workshops, and thesis project like a novel.

Grant Writing Certification

Creative Writing Studies

Certification

Teaches securing funding for literary projects through compelling proposals.

Helpful

Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC)

Society for Technical Communication

Certification

Validates skills in clear, audience-focused writing for technical content.

Professional Memberships

Authors Guild Membership

Authors Guild

Membership

Provides legal support, advocacy, and networking for published authors.

Work Environment

Remote Work Fully Remote

Physical Activity Mostly sedentary

Social Interaction Highly collaborative — frequent team interaction

Schedule Extended hours common

Your Skills & Attributes

Skills & Competencies Matches (52)

• Reading Comprehension

Strong Match

• Active Listening

Good Match

• Speaking

Good Match

• Critical Thinking

Good Match

• Time Management

Good Match

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Writer / Author a good career?

Writer / Author can be a rewarding career choice. Based on current data, the median salary is $72K and job outlook is stable (4% projected growth). Whether it's a good fit depends on your skills, interests, and values — take our quiz to find out how well you match.

What degree do you need to become a Writer / Author?

The typical education requirement for a Writer / Author is a Bachelor's Degree. However, requirements can vary by employer and specialization. Some professionals enter the field with alternative credentials or relevant work experience.

How long does it take to become a Writer / Author?

Becoming a Writer / Author typically requires about 4 years of undergraduate study. Additional time may be needed for certifications, internships, or on-the-job training depending on the specific role and employer requirements.

What is the work-life balance like for a Writer / Author?

The work-life balance for a Writer / Author is generally considered good, with reasonable hours and manageable workloads. Individual experiences vary based on employer, specialization, seniority level, and geographic location.

What is the job outlook for Writer / Author?

The job outlook for Writer / Author is stable. Employment is projected to grow by 4% over the coming decade. Labor market conditions can vary by region and specialization.

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