Becoming a Professional Writer: Career & Salary

<h3 id="section---CareerAtAGlance">Career at a Glance</h3> <p>Professional writers sell their services and create written content, such as books, magazines, essays, blogs, and technical manuals. Read the information below to find out more about what it takes to become a professional writer. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Required Degree</b> </td><td>Bachelor's degree</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Field of Study</b> </td><td>English, creative writing, journalism, communications, other related field</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Key Skills</b> </td><td> Critical thinking, creativity, communication, determination, flexibility, adaptability, computer</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 9% (writers and authors)*</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $67,120 (writers and authors)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDoesAProfessionalWriterDo">What Does a Professional Writer Do?</h3> <p>A professional writer uses written communication to present information to their targeted audience. They write novels, nonfiction books, articles, plays, blogs, and other forms of media. Professional writers choose the topics that interest their writers, develop ideas, and choose the material and medium in which to best present the information. They often work closely with editors to create a final piece that is suitable for publication. </p> <p>Professional writers can work for a specific employer, such as a newspaper, magazine, publishing house, or other industry. Many professional writers are freelancers or self-employed. They sell their written work to different organizations, or may be hired for short-term or contract work. Some writers publish solely online, such as electronic books or websites. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheEducationalRequirements">What Are the Educational Requirements?</h3> <p>Most employers expect professional writers to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree and prefer a degree in English, journalism, or another related field. Prospective writers should consider a degree program that includes coursework in areas such as literature, creative writing, and rhetoric. Specialized courses in cultural studies, web design, journalism, and multimedia communication may also be useful. Professional writers who want to focus on a specific field, such as science, should take courses that cover that subject. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatTrainingIsNeeded">What Training Is Needed?</h3> <p>Many professional writers receive on-the-job training and work closely with editors and more senior writers to develop their skill. As students, writers can gain experience by writing for their school's literary magazine or newspaper. Many publications offer internships to students, so they can gain real-world training before graduation. </p> <p>As the demand for online publications continues to grow, many employers look for professional writers who have training in online writing and who can use computer software to create graphics, videos, tables, and other types of media. </p> <h3 id="section---IsCertificationAvailable">Is Certification Available?</h3> <p>While no certification is required to become a professional writer, there are many opportunities available through professional organizations. Certification can potentially help writers advance their careers by demonstrating their skill level in a specific area. For example, medical writers can become certified through the American Medical Writers Association, and technical writers can receive certification through the Society for Technical Communication. Requirements for certification typically include earning a degree, experience in the field, and successfully passing an examination. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheSalaryAndJobOutlook">What Are the Salary and Job Outlook?</h3> <p>The median salary in 2020 for writers and authors was $67,120, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment in this field is expected to grow approximately 9% from 2020-2030. Demand for professional writers with experience in web and multimedia design is expected to increase as the number of online publications grows. In contrast, the number of jobs in print newspapers and magazines may decline, resulting in strong competition for these positions.</p>