What Does it Take to Be a Writer or Author?
Example of Writer or Author Job Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
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Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Screen Writer
- Novelist
- Lyricist
- Radio Script Writer
- Television Writer
Job Outlook for Writers and Authors
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 131,200 jobs in the United States for Writer or Author. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 10,000 new jobs for Writer or Author by 2026. There will be an estimated 12,600 positions for Writer or Author per year.

The states with the most job growth for Writer or Author are Utah, Washington, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, New Mexico, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Writer or Author
The typical yearly salary for Writers and Authors is somewhere between $31,700 and $121,670.

Writers and Authors who work in District of Columbia, California, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Writers and Authors make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $58,590 |
Alaska | $64,200 |
Arizona | $55,410 |
Arkansas | $48,670 |
California | $96,910 |
Colorado | $65,450 |
Connecticut | $78,440 |
Delaware | $60,690 |
District of Columbia | $101,690 |
Florida | $53,140 |
Georgia | $63,260 |
Hawaii | $50,740 |
Idaho | $52,570 |
Illinois | $68,710 |
Indiana | $61,920 |
Iowa | $50,680 |
Kansas | $62,670 |
Kentucky | $54,320 |
Louisiana | $44,710 |
Maine | $61,090 |
Maryland | $75,430 |
Massachusetts | $70,000 |
Michigan | $60,850 |
Minnesota | $67,300 |
Mississippi | $53,810 |
Missouri | $57,420 |
Montana | $47,440 |
Nebraska | $45,280 |
Nevada | $53,730 |
New Hampshire | $56,850 |
New Jersey | $81,160 |
New Mexico | $49,460 |
New York | $86,380 |
North Carolina | $67,250 |
North Dakota | $48,060 |
Ohio | $48,380 |
Oklahoma | $50,490 |
Oregon | $69,050 |
Pennsylvania | $60,140 |
Rhode Island | $63,820 |
South Dakota | $49,410 |
Tennessee | $55,370 |
Texas | $56,680 |
Utah | $54,660 |
Vermont | $62,260 |
Virginia | $68,600 |
Washington | $65,200 |
West Virginia | $64,480 |
Wisconsin | $59,360 |
Where do Writers and Authors Work?

Writers and Authors work in the following industries:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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