Writers and Authors
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$76,910/yr
Typical range
$58,230 – $101,950
Education
Bachelor's degree
Time to entry
About 4 years
What a Writers and Authors does
Create original written content such as novels, articles, screenplays, or technical documentation for various audiences and platforms. Develop stories, conduct research, and revise work to engage readers.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a bachelor's degree. About 4 years.
Estimated cost of that path: ~$40,000. Estimated payback: ~3 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- Public Relations Specialists — $74,750/yr
- Editors — $77,920/yr
- Interpreters and Translators — $60,170/yr
- Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers — $76,910/yr
- Technical Writers — $90,390/yr
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