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Determining how much you make as a writer is not an exact science, because the profession is a bit different than most others. Writers don’t always receive regular salaries or benefits, and pay can vary based on the type of writing being done, who the writing is for, and whether it’s part time or full time.
The salary for writers varies by job, location and experience. A website called careerkeg has the most updated information on salaries to help you decide if writing is the right job for you.
Salary For Writers Overview
If you’re looking to become a novelist, you may be wondering how much money you can expect to make. This is a common question, and it’s one that has many answers.
In general, writers and authors can expect to make between $23,000 and $38,000 per year. The average salary for writers and authors is about $33,000 per year.
There are many factors that go into determining how much money a writer makes. These include experience level, type of work performed (freelance or full-time), location (urban vs rural), education level, and more. While this information may seem discouraging at first glance, keep in mind that there are many paths toward earning a living as a writer.
For example: A full-time employee working for an employer in the publishing industry earns about $34,500 per year on average; however if they were working as freelance writers their earnings would be significantly higher at nearly $50k/year!
Similarly: A part-time employee working as an editor at a newspaper earns about $25k/year; however if they were working as freelance editors their earnings would be significantly higher at nearly $40k/year!
What is A Writer
The act of writing, to most, is merely a means of communication, but to a rare few, it’s a privilege to express one’s self. The profession of being a writer is meant for deep thinkers, careful thought masters crafting their powers through the vessel of each word, bringing gentle awakening into our dormant lives.
There have been so many writers that have inspired the world. Even Barack Obama was a writer before he/she was a speaker. It is not just what he/she says, but the way he/she arranges the words he/she speaks that injects meaning and voice to the audience. We have Ernest Hemingway, a legendary novelist, and a journalist. In his/her wise words “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places.” Last but not least, we have JK Rowling in the character of Albus Dumbledore, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light.”
A modern writer can help people write great copy, curate web content, report journalistic accounts, write scripts for movies, or even write stories for an organization’s brand. These days, employers require a combination of skills from prospective writers, such as proficiency with editing software as well as knowledge in a particular industry. It is always good to consider doing something pro-bono at the start to show practical experience. The salary of a writer is, on average, $26 per hour.
Technical writers offer a vital service to all kinds of organizations. Whether they’re tasked with writing whitepapers or product manuals or that handy FAQ on a tech company’s website, they need to convey vital information in a concise and easy-to-understand way. Given that importance, how much do technical writers earn?
Let’s dig into that question, including whether technical writing is a profession in demand, and which skills you need to succeed (and earn a ton).
What Writers and Authors Do
Writers and authors develop written content for various types of media, including advertisements; books; magazines; movie, play, and television scripts; and blogs.
Duties of Writers and Authors
Writers and authors typically do the following:
- Choose subject matter that interests readers
- Write fiction or nonfiction through scripts, novels, biographies, and more
- Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail
- Write advertising copy for newspapers, magazines, broadcasts, and the Internet
- Present drafts to editors and clients for feedback
- Work with editors and clients to shape the material so it can be published
Writers must establish their credibility with editors and readers through clean prose, strong research, and the use of appropriate sources and citations. Writers and authors select the material they want to use and then convey the information to readers. With help from editors, they may revise or rewrite sections, searching for the clearest language and the most appropriate phrasing.
Some writers and authors are self-employed or freelance writers and authors. They sell their written content to book and magazine publishers; news organizations; advertising agencies; and movie, theater, and television producers. They may be hired to complete specific short-term or recurring assignments, such as writing a newspaper column, contributing to a series of articles in a magazine, or producing an organization’s newsletter.
An increasing number of writers are producing material that is published only on the Internet, such as for digital news organizations or blogs.
The following are examples of types of writers and authors:
Copywriters prepare advertisements to promote the sale of a good or service. They often work with a client to produce written content, such as advertising themes, jingles, and slogans.
Content writers write about any topic of interest, unlike writers who usually specialize in a given field.
Biographers write a thorough account of a person’s life. They gather information from interviews and research about the person to accurately portray important events in that person’s life.
Bloggers write posts to a blog that may pertain to any topic or a specific field, such as fashion, news, or sports.
Novelists write books of fiction, creating characters and plots that may be imaginary or based on real events.
Playwrights write scripts for theatrical productions. They come up with a concept, write lines for actors to say, produce stage direction for actors to follow, and suggest ideas for theatrical set design.
Screenwriters create scripts for movies and television. They may produce original stories, characters, and dialogue, or turn a book into a movie or television script.
Speechwriters write speeches for business leaders, politicians, and others who must speak in front of an audience. A speech is heard, not read, which means speechwriters must think about audience reaction and rhetorical effect.
Are technical writers in demand?
According to Emsi Burning Glass, which collects and analyzes millions of job postings from across the country, organizations posted some 34,848 open technical writer jobs over the past 12 months. The average time to fill an open technical writer position was 39 days, indicating a strong level of demand.
Over the next 10 years, Emsi Burning Glass predicts, the job market for technical writers will grow 1.6 percent. That’s not nearly as spectacular a growth rate as other professions, but it also suggests technical writing isn’t a dwindling profession—organizations will always need someone who can explain highly complicated topics in a concise way.
What is a technical writer’s average salary?
The median salary for a technical writer is $66,978; those with more than nine years of experience can earn close to $90,000 per year. That’s somewhat lower than many technology-related jobs; the latest Dice Tech Salary Report placed the average technologist salary at $104,566, up 6.9 percent between 2020 and 2021. (It’s also a slight dip from the last time we researched a technical writer’s salary.)
What are the most valuable skills for a technical writer?
Many job postings for technical writers ask for the following specialized skills:
- Technical writing/editing
- Project management
- Proposal writing
- Journalism
- Request for proposal (RFP)
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Sharepoint
In addition, there are a number of “soft skills” that also pop up frequently in postings, including:
- Writing (of course)
- Editing
- Communication skills
- Research
- Teamwork/collaboration
- Detail-oriented
Whether you’re a technical writer working full-time for a particular company or a freelancer, “soft skills” can help you convince stakeholders to buy into your vision (and clients to sign up for your services, in terms of freelancing). It’s an essential set of skills.
What is a technical writer’s starting salary?
The starting salary for a technical writer (as well as the maximum salary) hinge on a number of factors, including their first company and their education. Emsi Burning Glass provides a handy breakdown of how education can impact median salary for this profession over the long term:https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/WYv9E/1/
It’s also worth paying attention to how experience can impact salary. As technical writers spend more years in the profession, their income can often climb considerably: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/T8DyS/1/
Is being a technical writer stressful?
It can be! Like any job, technical writing can involve crunchy deadlines, stakeholders who haven’t yet bought into your vision, and lots of details to mind. But for those who like writing about technical subjects, it can also offer a lot of awesome opportunities.
Writer and Author Salaries
The median annual wage for writers and authors is $69,510. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,500, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $133,580.
The median annual wages for writers and authors in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Information | $80,560 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $65,210 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | $64,280 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $61,940 |
Some writers and authors work part time. Most keep regular office hours, either to stay in contact with sources and editors or to set up a writing routine, but many set their own hours. Others may need to work evenings and weekends to produce something acceptable for an editor or client. Self-employed or freelance writers and authors may face the pressures of juggling multiple projects or continually looking for new work.
