Film & Video Editor
Median wage · national
$75,420
Range: $53K – $105K
Employed
26K
Openings/yr
4K
Typically: bachelor's degree
HUMANITIES
Writer & Author
Writer & Author earn $76,910 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $58,230 and $101,950. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Writer & Author
Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
- Median Wage
- $76,910
- Employed Nationally
- 48K
- Openings / Year
- 13,400
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Advertisement Agency Copywriter (Ad Agency Copywriter)
Advertisement Copywriter (Ad Copywriter)
Advertisement Writer (Ad Writer)
Advertising Associate
Advertising Copywriter
How Much Do Writers & Authors Make?
Writer & Author earn $76,910 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,230 and $101,950. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$76,910
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$58K–$102K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$58,230
Entry-level
$76,910
Median
$101,950
Experienced
What Do Writers & Authors Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Writer & Author roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
- Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
- Present drafts and ideas to clients.
- Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
- Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Writing
Writing
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Who Thrives Here
A
Artistic
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
A
Artistic
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
Where Do Writers & Authors Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Writers & Authors?
The BLS projects +3.6% employment change for Writer & Author through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 13,400 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +3.6%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
13,400
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
48K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Writer & Author professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $76,910 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 8,950 | $80,470 | +4.6% |
| 2 | New York | 5,980 | — | — |
| 3 | Florida | 2,440 | $65,830 | -14.4% |
| 4 | North Carolina | 2,170 | $63,720 | -17.1% |
| 5 | Texas | 2,100 | $71,650 | -6.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Writer & Author positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 8 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication & Media | 56,620 | $56,359 | 1,406 |
| 2 | Drama & Theatre | 16,853 | $39,775 | 1,116 |
| 3 | Rhetoric & Composition | 13,176 | $48,471 | 766 |
| 4 | Journalism | 12,280 | $56,278 | 522 |
| 5 | Communication & Journalism, Other | 1,238 | $55,384 | 99 |
| 6 | Business Operations Support | 837 | $65,784 | 80 |
| 7 | Literature | 774 | $46,173 | 118 |
| 8 | Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business | 560 | $64,926 | 26 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Writers & Authors
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 6 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Writer & Author, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Writer & Author pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Writer & Author Pros & Cons
The data on Writer & Author shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $76,910 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $101,950 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $76,910 median while building the experience employers require.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $58,230 is considerably below the $76,910 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Writer & Author Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Writer & Author professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Writer & Author is $76,910, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,230 and $101,950. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Writer & Author a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $76,910 median, with +3.6% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a Writer & Author?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Communication & Media are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $76,910 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Writer & Author?
The BLS projects +3.6% employment change for Writer & Author through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 13,400 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 48K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Writer & Author professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Writer & Author roles: Writing, Writing, Reading Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, and Active Listening. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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