Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers in Illinois
Want to work as a Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers in Illinois? Below are the key facts. 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).
What do Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers Make in Illinois?
For a poets, lyricists and creative writers working in Illinois, wages run about $66,180 per year (or about $31.82/hour).Pay can range from $36,950 at the 10th percentile to $121,080 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,950 | $17.76 |
| 25th percentile | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Median (50th) | $66,180 | $31.82 |
| 75th percentile | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| 90th percentile | $121,080 | $58.21 |
The job concentration index in Illinois relative to the national average — is 1.07.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, poets, lyricists and creative writers earn a median of $70,619 per year ($33.95/hour), below the Illinois median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 161,049 poets, lyricists and creative writers nationwide. In Illinois alone, approximately 2,010 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 580 poets, lyricists and creative writers.
Top Illinois Metros for Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
The largest metro-area employers of poets, lyricists and creative writers in Illinois.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 1,590 | $69,150 |
| Peoria, IL | 30 | $59,060 |
Top States for Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers Employment
View the states that employ the most poets, lyricists and creative writers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 8,950 |
| New York | 5,980 |
| Florida | 2,440 |
| North Carolina | 2,170 |
| Texas | 2,100 |
| Illinois | 2,010 |
| Virginia | 1,630 |
| New Jersey | 1,610 |
| Colorado | 1,540 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,360 |
| Massachusetts | 1,260 |
| District of Columbia | 1,240 |
| Tennessee | 1,220 |
| Georgia | 1,200 |
| Minnesota | 980 |
| Ohio | 960 |
| Washington | 900 |
| Michigan | 860 |
| Oregon | 850 |
| Connecticut | 640 |
Highest-Paying States for Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
The highest-paying states for poets, lyricists and creative writers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $121,160 |
| Maryland | $107,540 |
| Washington | $86,170 |
| Vermont | $86,040 |
| Virginia | $80,990 |
| Connecticut | $80,950 |
| California | $80,470 |
| Massachusetts | $78,440 |
| Oregon | $77,830 |
| New Jersey | $75,640 |
Skills
Top poets, lyricists and creative writers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for poets, lyricists and creative writers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, poets, lyricists and creative writers typically:
- Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
- Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
- Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
- Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
- Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
- Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
- Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.
- Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
- Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
- Attend book launches and publicity events, or conduct public readings.
- Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.
- Write words to fit musical compositions, including lyrics for operas, musical plays, and choral works.
Work Activities
- Thinking Creatively
- Getting Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Working with Computers
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Developing Objectives and Strategies
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Selling or Influencing Others
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Communication & Media Studies
- Journalism
- Other Communication & Journalism
- Writing Studies
- Literature
- Drama & Theater Arts
- Corporate Communications
- Human Sciences Business Services
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to poets, lyricists and creative writers include:
- Historians
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Curators
- Art Directors
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Also Known As
Author, Blog Content Writer, Blog Writer, Blogger, Children's Author, Comic Book Writer, Comic Writer, Community Blogger, Content Writer, Continuity Writer, Creative Writer, Crossword Puzzle Maker, Documentary Storyteller, Dramatist, Editorial Writer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 27-3043.05
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