Writers and Authors
Career Cluster
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications
Focuses on written content, art, design, journalism, and performance. In this field, you will engage in designing, producing, and publishing. To pursue a career in this field, students need to be creative and have strong communication skills. A background in computers and technology is important.
Learn more about this clusterAt a glance
Expected pay range
Expected pay range
This represents the median earnings for this career in the selected county or state. In the range shown, 25% of workers earned less than the bottom salary and 25% earned more than the top salary. Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Monthly cost of living
These numbers give you an idea of how much you can spend each month on common expenses with this salary. Percentages are the average a person with no children spends according to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (external link opens new tab) These numbers are a starting point and will differ person to person.
Your actual expenses may differ from those listed. You’ll need to account for the amount taken out in taxes each month. Learn more about income tax expenses. (external link opens new tab) Your student loan payments may also differ. To calculate your student loan payments, use the federal student loan repayment estimator. (external link opens new tab)
About writers and authors
What they do
Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
Other titles
Advertisement Agency Copywriter (Ad Agency Copywriter), Advertising Associate, Advertising Copywriter, Advertising Writer, Communications Specialist, Copywriter, Freelance Copywriter, Promotion Writer, Search Engine Optimization Copywriter (SEO Copywriter), Web Content Writer
Skills they need
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
Licenses and Certifications they may hold
How to decide which one is right? That depends on an individual’s career path, specialty, and resources.
Certifications
Certifications may be available for this career and can help build knowledge and skills in specific job roles. Explore available certifications (external link opens new tab)
Similar careers
View careers in the same field as writers and authors.
Art Directors
Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Better pay
Median salary for this career is higher than the median salary of all careers in the county selected. Salary data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.
Advertising Sales Agents
Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.
Technical Writers
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
- American Grant Writers’ Association (external link opens new tab)
- American Society of Journalists and Authors (external link opens new tab)
- Association of Writers and Writing Programs (external link opens new tab)
- Boating Writers International (external link opens new tab)
- Circulo Creativo (external link opens new tab)
- National Association of Science Writers (external link opens new tab)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Writers and authors (external link opens new tab)
- Society of Professional Journalists (external link opens new tab)
- Writers Guild of America East (external link opens new tab)