What Does a Writer Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a writer do?

Writers and authors develop written content for various types of media, including advertisements, books, magazines, movie and TV scripts, songs and online publications. The median pay is $76,910 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Years of practice, and employment is projected to grow -0.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$76,910
$36.98/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-0.3%
2025–35, little or no change
Openings per year
11,900
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
Years of practice
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
140,300
Employment, 2025

What writers do

Writers create content people read and hear. They write novels, nonfiction, scripts, ad copy, web content, speeches and grant proposals, research topics, revise drafts and pitch work to editors and clients.

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical. Many writers are freelancers. BLS projects little change.

Typical duties

Research topics
Write drafts
Revise
Pitch ideas
Meet deadlines
Work with editors
Market work

Work environment and schedule

Writers work at home, in offices and on location.

Schedule: Flexible, deadline-driven hours.

A day in the life

8:00 AMWrite 1,000 words.
10:00 AMResearch a feature.
12:00 PMInterview a source.
1:30 PMWrite ad copy for a client.

See a full day in the life of a writer →

Writer salary

Half of writers earned more than $76,910 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $44,310 for the lowest 10% to $139,870 for the top 10%.

$44,31010th$76,910Median$139,87090th

Full writer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a writer

Write every day
Earn a bachelor’s
Build a portfolio
Pitch and publish
Grow

A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or communications is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a writer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Writing
Research
Storytelling
Editing
SEO

People skills

Discipline
Creativity
Persistence
Curiosity

All writer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Creative work
Remote and flexible
Variety of topics
Be your own boss

Cons

Unstable income
Rejection
Isolation
AI competition in some content

Certifications and licenses

MFA in creative writing: Optional.
Copywriting course: Helpful.
Grant writing certificate: Helpful.
SEO certification: Helpful.

Career path

Freelance or Staff Writer: Entry.
Senior Writer: Bigger projects.
Author or Lead Writer: Own work.
Editor or Showrunner: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Writer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as pitch a story to an editor and write a query letter for a novel, safety and how to land your first job.

View Writer training Is this career right for me?

Editor

Plan, review and improve writing for publications, websites and books.

$77,920
Writing experience plus on-the-job learning

Journalist

Find, report and tell the stories that keep the public informed.

$62,200
4 years

Technical Writer

Explain complex products and processes in clear, usable documentation.

$90,390
4 years or technical background plus writing training

English Professor

Teach college students to read closely and write well.

$78,760
6–8 years after a bachelor’s

Compare: Writer vs. Editor · Writer vs. Journalist · Writer vs. Technical Writer · Writer vs. English Professor

Writer FAQ

Do writers need a degree?

Not required, but common.

Are most writers freelancers?

Many are.

Is the field growing?

BLS projects little change.

How much does a writer make?

The median annual wage for writers was $76,910 ($36.98 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,310 and the highest 10% earned more than $139,870.

How long does it take to become a writer?

Most people need about Years of practice of training. A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or communications is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a writer?

Usually helpful, not required. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but a strong portfolio of published work matters most to editors and clients.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 27-3043 (Writers and authors).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Writers and authors (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Writer