Writers and Authors

Writing & Content Creation • Creative & Media Careers

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material. Excludes "News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists" (27-3023), "Public Relations Specialists" (27-3031), and "Technical Writers" (27-3042).

Typical Salary (Median)
$72,270
(2024 BLS data)
Half earn more, half earn less
Average Salary (Mean)
$85,780
Mathematical average of all salaries
National Employment
47,800
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
BLS Code: 273043

Understanding Salary Statistics: The typical salary (median) shows what a middle-of-the-road Writers and Authors earns, making it useful for salary negotiations. The average salary (mean) can be higher due to top earners and is often used in industry reports.

Salary Distribution

National salary ranges for Writers and Authors (2024)

10th Percentile
$41,080
25th Percentile
$52,890
75th Percentile
$98,320
90th Percentile
$133,680

Top Industries

Industries with the most Writers and Authors positions

1
Cross-industry, Private, Federal, State, and Local Government
47,800
$85,780 avg
2
Cross-industry, Private Ownership Only
44,800
$85,370 avg
3
Sector 54 - Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
14,380
$79,500 avg
4
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
14,380
$79,500 avg
5
Sector 51 - Information
12,010
$89,880 avg

Work Environment

Office Remote

Career Overview

💼 About This Career

Writers and Authors professionals work in creative & media careers, specifically in writing & content creation. This role typically requires bachelor's degree and offers a median salary of $72,270.

📊 Job Market Outlook

The job growth outlook for Writers and Authors is rated as Moderate. Currently, there are approximately 47,800 people employed in this occupation nationwide.

Related Skills & Keywords

writer content writer author copywriter

Related Careers

Related by occupation classification

Data Source: Salary and employment statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program , 2024 data. Historical trends show changes over time. Individual results may vary based on experience, location, and employer.