How to Become a Writer / Author
Write the scripts, stories, articles, and copy that inform and entertain, in staff roles or as an independent author. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $76,910 per year and about average projected job growth.
Median pay
$76,910/yr
Middle half
$58,230 to $101,950
Job growth
About average
Openings / yr
13,400
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Writing
- Storytelling
- Editing
- Research
- Self-Direction
Helpful certifications
- A published portfolio matters more than credentials
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
26/100
Work-life balance
54/100
Stress level
55/100
Related careers
- Art Director$114,850 median
- Animator / Special Effects Artist$102,030 median
- Industrial Designer$83,910 median
- Fashion Designer$80,960 median
- Editor$77,920 median
- Film and Video Editor$75,420 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Writer / Author make?
The median pay for a Writer / Author is $76,910 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $58,230 and $101,950 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Writer / Author?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are English, Creative Writing, Journalism, Communications, Philosophy, and Advertising.
Is Writer / Author a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is about average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 13,400 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Writer / Author use most?
Common skills for this role are Writing, Storytelling, Editing, Research, and Self-Direction.
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).