You’ve got a way with words, so you’re hunting for a writing job. Fortunately, demand for writers is steady, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that it will grow by 4% by 2031. That means there are plenty of opportunities for you to earn a living by putting pen to paper (or keystrokes to a computer screen). We’ll share the 14 of the best writing jobs, so you can land your dream position fast!
Quickstart Guide To Landing A Writing Job
- Update your resume. Investing a little money to have a professional resume writing service polish up your resume can be the edge you need. Check out our guide to the best resume writing services to get started today.
- Search for writing jobs on ZipRecruiter. If you are looking for a writing job, we recommend searching on ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and you can apply for jobs with a single click! You can also upload your resume to their resume database so that recruiters can find you.
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14 Best Writing Jobs
Let’s dive into the best writing jobs. Please note that all salaries listed below reflect the annualized national average for full-time employment. You could earn more or less depending on your location, experience, or if you perform the work as a freelancer.
1. Content Writer
Median National Salary: $84,151/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in English or a related discipline
Job Growth 2023-2033: 13%
Job Duties: As a content writer, you’ll create various informational or entertaining pieces of content for web or print. For example, you may write blog articles, whitepapers, brochures, emails, and more.
For more information, check out our content writer job description.
2. Copywriter
Median National Salary: $76,412/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in English, Communication, Marketing, or another related area
Job Growth 2023-2033: 8%
Job Duties: As a copywriter, you’ll craft convincing messaging that compels your reader to take a specific action, such as sign up for an email mailing list or buy a product. You could write copy for websites, social media posts, email newsletters, and other places the business attempts to sell to its audience.
3. Grant Writer
Median National Salary: $66,107/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in English or a similar field
Job Growth 2023-2033: 8%
Job Duties: As a grant writer, you’ll write proposals to help your organization get the funding it needs to carry out its mission. You may also reach out to previous donors or help organize fundraising events.
4. Technical Writer
Median National Salary: $81,001/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree and some technical knowledge
Job Growth 2023-2033: 6%
Job Duties: As a technical writer, you’ll create documentation that communicates complicated information clearly to a layperson. You may write how-to guides, instructional manuals, or reference materials.
5. Creative Writer
Median National Salary: $62,185/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in English, Creative Writing, or a similar discipline
Job Growth 2023-2033: 0%
Job Duties: As a creative writer, you’ll flex your writing chops by crafting compelling works, like novels, short stories, essays, poems, and more. If you’re an entrepreneur, this could look like writing and selling self-published books.
6. Blogger
Median National Salary: $62,275/year
Education Required: None
Job Growth 2023-2033: 0%
Job Duties: As a blogger, you’ll write blog articles to inform, entertain, or inspire your readers. Your ultimate goal will be to write posts that rank in search engine results so that they get a lot of visitors and generate revenue for the blog owner via ads and affiliate marketing.
7. Journalist
Median National Salary: $60,979/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or a related discipline
Job Growth 2023-2033: -9% (decline)
Job Duties: As a journalist, you’ll interview sources, sift through research, and write about relevant news stories. You may cover politics, sports, local events, and more.
8. Editor
Median National Salary: $64,031/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in English, Communication, or Journalism
Job Growth 2023-2033: -5% (decline)
Job Duties: As an editor, you’ll review, enhance, and improve the written works of other writers. You’ll be on the lookout for grammar and punctuation issues (also known as proofreading). You’ll also ensure each piece flows logically and engages the reader.
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9. Scriptwriter
Median National Salary: $61,384/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Communications or English
Job Growth 2023-2033: 8%
Job Duties: As a scriptwriter, you’ll write compelling plots and dialogues to entertain, amuse, or inform an audience. You might work on projects for plays, television shows, or movies.
10. Speechwriter
Median National Salary: $72,832/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s in English, Journalism, or Political Science
Job Growth 2023-2033: 6%
Job Duties: As a speechwriter, you’ll convey the intended message of your speaker in a way that captivates their audience. You may write speeches for celebrities, politicians, or other important public figures.
11. Proposal Writer
Median National Salary: $81,248/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Communication, English, or Business
Job Growth 2023-2033: 8%
Job Duties: As a proposal writer, you’ll write proposals to help your employer or client win new business or funding opportunities, such as grants. You may work for a non-profit organization, a for-profit company, or the government.
12. Ghostwriter
Median National Salary: $55,000/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or English
Job Growth 2023-2033: 8%
Job Duties: As a ghostwriter, you’ll create written works on behalf of someone else, taking on their voice and tone. You may write articles, books, public relations material, or other content.
13. Transcriptionist
Median National Salary: $47,067/year
Education Required: An associate’s degree or certificate may be required for medical transcription
Job Growth 2023-2033: -7% (decline)
Job Duties: As a transcriptionist, you’ll listen to and transcribe audio recordings. You’ll then convert your notes into useful reports for the reader.
If you want to get started as a transcriptionist, check out our guide to the best transcription jobs for beginners.
14. Translator
Median National Salary: $57,200/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in a foreign language, business, or communications
Job Growth 2023-2033: 20%
Job Duties: As a translator, you’ll rewrite information in another language. You may work for a hospital, school, courthouse, or other setting.
What Is A Writing Job?
A writing job is a role where you express an intentional message through the written word to produce a desired effect. For example, as a copywriter, you’ll describe a product’s benefits in a way that entices a consumer to buy it. Or, as a technical writer, you’ll write detailed instructions illustrating how the reader should use and care for their new product after purchase.
For most writing roles, you can either do them as an employee of a company or as a self-employed freelancer. Generally, you can earn more money freelancing than you can as an employee. However, when you’re self-employed, you’re responsible for providing your own health insurance, paid time off, retirement benefits, and other perks.
Note: You may want to try your hand at several different writing jobs to find the one that works best for you or diversify your income streams.
How to Get a Writing Job
If you’re new to the field, follow these steps to get a writing job:
Pick a Type of Writing
Decide which type of writing interests you the most. Then, you can create a plan to get started in that career.
Educate Yourself
Once you know what you want to do, you can acquire the knowledge, skills, and credentials you need to get hired. This step may include pursuing a degree, taking online courses, or working with a coach or mentor.
Related: Best Freelancing Courses
Practice, Practice, Practice
The more you practice writing, the better you’ll be at it — and the more likely someone will pay you to do it. You can start by writing on your own blog, submitting guest posts to other blogs, or taking on a volunteer writing gig. Over time, you’ll build a portfolio and collect testimonials, which will help you land paid work.
Warning: Don’t work for free for long. You deserve to get compensated for your efforts!
Network Constantly
You never know who can open a door for you, so you should always look to expand your network. Business owners or company leaders may be able to hire you. More experienced writers could provide mentorship and job leads.
For more tips, check out our guide on how to network.
Pitch and Apply
Once you’ve started a portfolio and have built some rapport within your network, you’re ready to go after the job you want. You can apply to positions you see posted online. Or, you can approach your connections to pitch your services.
Requirements And Skills For Working A Writing Job
You’ll need a few qualifications and many skills to succeed in a writing job. Here are the most essential:
- Education: Typically, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree to get a writing job. However, some roles don’t require formal education.
- Experience: Employers generally like to hire experienced writers. But you may be able to land a writing position by presenting well-crafted samples created specifically for that job application.
- Writing: While writing is a skill you can hone with practice, you must be a decent writer to break into the profession.
- Editing: You must be able to proofread and polish your work.
- Researching: Well-written pieces are accurate, and accuracy comes from conducting thorough research.
- Interviewing: The best writing tells a story. You must know how to get that story from your sources and subjects.
- Project management: Writing is a process, and you may need to simultaneously juggle multiple projects at various stages of completion.
- Creativity: Being creative will help you develop compelling written works, whether you write fiction or nonfiction.
Best Places To Find Writing Jobs
Ready to search for writing jobs? Before you start applying, make sure your writing resume is polished and reflects your writing skills. If you need help with your resume, check out the best resume writing services.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is another popular job board that allows you to search and apply for open roles. You can filter your results and set up job alerts to receive an email whenever a new position you may be interested in gets published on the site.
For more information, read our ZipRecruiter review.
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LinkedIn is a great place to start or further your writing career. You can set up a comprehensive professional profile, advertise that you’re for hire, search and apply for jobs, and network with potential employers, clients, and colleagues.
For more information, read our LinkedIn review.
Indeed
Indeed is a robust job board, so you should have no problem finding writing opportunities here. The platform lets you post your resume and search and apply for roles directly on the site.
For more information, read our Indeed review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What careers can I have in writing?
You can have various careers in writing. Options include but aren’t limited to copywriting, content writing, technical writing, grant writing, and novel writing.
What writing job makes the most money?
Pay for writing jobs varies widely, but content writing, copywriting, and technical writing are some of the most lucrative paths you can pursue.
How can I get paid from writing?
You can get paid from writing by freelancing, becoming a staff writer, publishing books, or blogging.
Are writing careers in demand?
Yes, there is a steady demand for writers that's expected to grow by 4% within the decade.
The Bottom Line
You should be ready to apply for your next (or first) writing job. But, if you’re feeling a little uncertain about your resume, we encourage you to reach out to one of our picks for the best resume writing service for guidance. Then, you can head on over to ZipRecruiter and hit that apply button with confidence!
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