Writers and Authors
Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 290 | $69,660 | $33.49 | |
| Arizona | 580 | $53,620 | $25.78 | |
| Arkansas | 230 | $45,430 | $21.84 | |
| California | 10,020 | $111,110 | $53.42 | |
| Colorado | 970 | $74,750 | $35.94 | |
| Connecticut | 770 | $86,200 | $41.44 | |
| Delaware | 80 | $68,980 | $33.17 | |
| District of Columbia | 1,620 | $93,210 | $44.81 | |
| Florida | 1,470 | $66,880 | $32.16 | |
| Georgia | 1,250 | $70,820 | $34.05 | |
| Hawaii | 60 | $80,010 | $38.47 | |
| Idaho | 180 | $50,950 | $24.50 | |
| Illinois | 3,150 | $73,370 | $35.27 | |
| Indiana | 450 | $51,290 | $24.66 | |
| Iowa | 420 | $54,110 | $26.01 | |
| Kansas | 180 | $56,820 | $27.32 | |
| Kentucky | 290 | $58,650 | $28.20 | |
| Louisiana | 190 | $70,570 | $33.93 | |
| Maine | 150 | $81,310 | $39.09 | |
| Maryland | 1,060 | $80,200 | $38.56 | |
| Massachusetts | 1,410 | $87,020 | $41.84 | |
| Michigan | 780 | $69,370 | $33.35 | |
| Minnesota | 1,190 | $64,320 | $30.92 | |
| Mississippi | 120 | $52,100 | $25.05 | |
| Missouri | 680 | $66,870 | $32.15 | |
| Montana | 100 | $50,150 | $24.11 | |
| Nebraska | 310 | $68,520 | $32.94 | |
| Nevada | 360 | $64,810 | $31.16 | |
| New Hampshire | 350 | $75,870 | $36.48 | |
| New Jersey | 1,430 | $62,950 | $30.27 | |
| New Mexico | 60 | $63,890 | $30.72 | |
| New York | 6,140 | $98,510 | $47.36 | |
| North Carolina | 1,580 | $60,910 | $29.29 | |
| North Dakota | 40 | $57,890 | $27.83 | |
| Ohio | 1,270 | $60,250 | $28.96 | |
| Oklahoma | 300 | $46,550 | $22.38 | |
| Oregon | 780 | $80,320 | $38.61 | |
| Pennsylvania | 1,210 | $63,820 | $30.69 | |
| Rhode Island | 230 | $77,020 | $37.03 | |
| South Carolina | 410 | $52,850 | $25.41 | |
| South Dakota | 50 | $52,910 | $25.44 | |
| Tennessee | 930 | $52,020 | $25.01 | |
| Texas | 1,970 | $63,270 | $30.42 | |
| Utah | 820 | $55,920 | $26.89 | |
| Vermont | 220 | $77,510 | $37.27 | |
| Virginia | 1,420 | $75,400 | $36.25 | |
| Washington | 1,040 | $77,870 | $37.44 | |
| West Virginia | 110 | $49,360 | $23.73 | |
| Wisconsin | 660 | $60,740 | $29.20 | |
| Wyoming | 30 | $61,370 | $29.51 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that focuses on the comprehensive study of communication, and that spans the study of mass communication/media studies, old and new media technologies, social and political applications, and speech communication and rhetoric. Includes instruction in interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural communication; theories of communication; critical thinking, argumentation, and persuasion; written communication; printed, electronic, and digital media; rhetorical tradition and criticism; media, society, and culture; consequences and effects of mass media; media social science and criticism; and quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry.
A program that focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of interpersonal, group, organizational, professional, and intercultural communication; speaking and listening; verbal and nonverbal interaction; rhetorical theory and criticism; performance studies; argumentation and persuasion; technologically mediated communication; popular culture; and various contextual applications.
A program that focuses on the analysis and criticism of media institutions and media texts, how people experience and understand media content, and the roles of media in producing and transforming culture. Includes instruction in communications regulation, law, and policy; media history; media aesthetics, interpretation, and criticism; the social and cultural effects of mass media; cultural studies; the economics of media industries; visual and media literacy; and the psychology and behavioral aspects of media messages, interpretation, and utilization.
A program that focuses on the theory and practice of gathering, processing, and delivering news and that prepares individuals to be professional print journalists, news editors, and news managers. Includes instruction in news writing and editing; reporting; photojournalism; layout and graphic design; journalism law and policy; professional standards and ethics; research methods; and journalism history and criticism.
A program that focuses on the methods and techniques for reporting, producing, and delivering news and news programs via radio, television, and video/film media; and that prepares individuals to be professional broadcast journalists, editors, producers, directors, and managers. Includes instruction in the principles of broadcast technology; broadcast reporting; on- and off-camera and microphone procedures and techniques; program, sound, and video/film editing; program design and production; media law and policy; and professional standards and ethics.
Any instructional program in communication, journalism, and related fields not listed above.
A program that focuses on communication of human sciences subject matter and related consumer information to a variety of audiences through print and non-print media.
A program that focuses on writing for applied and liberal arts purposes. Includes instruction in writing and document design in multiple genres, modes, and media; writing technologies; research, evaluation, and use of information; editing and publishing; theories and processes of composing; rhetorical theories, traditions, and analysis; communication across audiences, contexts, and cultures; and practical applications for professional, technical, organizational, academic, and public settings.
A program that focuses on the process and techniques of original composition in various literary forms such as the short story, poetry, the novel, and others. Includes instruction in technical and editorial skills, criticism, and the marketing of finished manuscripts.
A program that focuses on professional, technical, business, and scientific writing; and that prepares individuals for academic positions or for professional careers as writers, editors, researchers, and related careers in business, government, non-profits, and the professions. Includes instruction in theories of rhetoric, writing, and digital literacy; document design, production, and management; visual rhetoric and multimedia composition; documentation development; usability testing; web writing; and publishing in print and electronic media.
A program that focuses on the humanistic and scientific study of rhetoric, composition, literacy, and language/linguistic theories and their practical and pedagogical applications. Includes instruction in historical and contemporary rhetoric/composition theories; composition and criticism of written, visual, and mixed-media texts; analysis of literacy practices in cultural and cross-cultural contexts; and writing program administration.
Any instructional program in rhetoric and composition/writing studies not listed above.
A program that focuses on literature from one or more genres, cultures or traditions. Includes instruction in period and genre studies, author studies, literary criticism, and studies of various types of literary text.
A program that focuses on the scholarly study of children's and adolescent literature and that may enhance the professional work of teachers, librarians, publishers, booksellers, and creative writers. Includes instruction in period and genre studies, author studies, literary criticism, studies of various types of literary text, book artists, and children's films.
Any instructional program in English language literature not listed above.
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for communicating dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the composition of creative written works for the theatre, film, and/or television. Includes instruction in creative writing craft, scene writing, script development, stage and/or camera instructions, line and moment analysis, script reading, script editing, and the creation of full productions.
A program that focuses on the historical, cultural, and theoretical dimensions of comedy as an art form, and the writing, performance, and production of comedy. Includes instruction in comedic storytelling, comedy production, comedy writing, history of comedy, improvisation, and sketch writing.
A program that prepares individuals to function in an organization as a composer, editor, and proofreader of business or business-related communications.
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$81,120 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
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Long-term on-the-job trainingTypical on-the-job training requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as writers and authors.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 3%
- College dropout 8%
- Associate’s degree 3%
- Bachelor’s degree 50%
- Master’s degree 26%
- Doctorate degree 8%
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