Writer

What is this job like?		Back to Top

Writers and editors write! Writers write stories, or they write about things that really happened. They write books, and they write articles for magazines or journals. They write for newspapers, and they write for radio and television. Editors tell writers what to write about. They also decide whether the written story or article is good or not so good. If it is not so good, they change the words to make it better. When a writer begins to write, he or she gathers information. The writer may get this information just by looking or by doing research at the library. Or the writer may interview someone. Writers write something, and then they change it. Then they change it again. They keep changing it until they feel they get it right.

There are different kinds of writers. News writers work for newspapers or news broadcasts. Columnists write about people, places, and things. Editorial writers write how they feel about something. Technical writers give instructions on how to use a machine or how to do something. Copy writers write ads.

Editors write, too. They also review, rewrite, and change the words of writers. But their most important job is to plan what should be in a book, a magazine, or a newspaper. They decide what to print based on what they think readers will want to read. They assign topics to writers. And they make sure that the book, magazine, or newspaper comes out on time.

Editors have people who help them do their jobs. These workers are called assistant editors or editorial assistants. Sometimes they are called copy editors or production assistants. They correct errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. They make sure that a book or a magazine is correct and easy to read. They also may do research for writers. They figure out what each page of the book or magazine should look like. Most writers and editors use computers to help them do their work.

Some writers and editors work in quiet offices. Others work in noisy rooms. Some writers and editors have to travel. Others talk to people over the telephone or go to the library.

Writers and editors work 35 to 40 hours a week. Some work at night or on weekends. Writers may work overtime to meet deadlines or to cover the latest stories. They often face a lot of pressure to meet the deadlines. On some jobs, deadlines are daily.

How do you get ready?		Back to Top

A writer or editor must have a college degree. To get a job, the best subjects to study are communications, journalism, and English. If you are going to be a technical writer, you may want to study science. If you write well, you may be able to pick up technical knowledge on the job.

If you want to be a writer or editor, you must be able to write clearly. You should also love to write. You should be creative and curious about the world. A good writer or editor has a lot of knowledge and doesn't give up easily. Editors must have good judgment so they can figure out what to accept and what to reject. They often have to guide and encourage others in their work.

You may be able to get a job on your high school or college newspaper. Of course, you won't get paid, but you will get experience. You may be able to be an intern in a firm. Interns write short pieces and do research. That way, they learn about the publishing business.

How much does this job pay?		Back to Top

Half of all writers and authors earned between $34,850 and $67,820 a year in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $25,430. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $97,700 a year. Earnings for technical writers were somewhat higher.

Half of all editors earned between $35,250 and $64,140 a year in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $27,340. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $87,400 a year.

How many jobs are there?		Back to Top

Writers and editors held about 306,000 jobs in 2006. More than one-third were self-employed. About one-third worked in the information sector, which includes newspaper, magazine, book, and directory publishers; radio and TV firms; Internet service providers; and other industries. Some worked for advertising agencies and many other business and nonprofit organizations and for government.

Jobs with major book publishers, magazines, broadcast companies, advertising agencies, and public relations firms are in the largest U.S. cities. Jobs with newspapers, business and professional journals, and technical and trade magazines are spread out over the country. Thousands of other persons work as freelancers. They earn money from the articles or books they write or edit.

What about the future?		Back to Top

There will be a lot of competition for writing and editing jobs. This is because so many people want to become writers or editors. If you don't mind low pay, you can work at a small newspaper or at a small radio or TV station. Technical writers and those with computer skills like website design may have an advantage in finding a job.

BLS expects jobs for writers and editors to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. Jobs in advertising should be one good area of growth. But it’s really the demand for technical writers that will grow. There will be many new jobs as workers go to other fields or retire. Many freelancers leave because they cannot earn enough money.

Are there other jobs like this?		Back to Top

• Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers
• Interpreters and translators
• Public relations specialists
• Reporters
• Teachers—postsecondary

Where can you find more information?		Back to Top

More BLS information about writers and editors can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

Last Modified Date: April 29, 2008