USA Career Guide -Writers and Authors

Education Required for a Writer:

Bachelor’s degree in any field. However, one can start honing his or her skills from the high school level by contributing regularly in college magazines.

Related Programs for a Writer and Author in USA

• Broadcast Journalism
• Business/Corporate Communications
• Children's and Adolescent Literature
• Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
• Creative Writing
• Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Communication
• General Literature
• Journalism
• Literature
• Mass Communication/Media Studies
• Playwright and Screenwriting
• Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
• Rhetoric and Composition
• Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other
• Speech Communication and Rhetoric
• Writing

Work experience is not necessary to become a writer. However, you can gain experience by writing for college magazines, blogs, and websites.

Pay of an Author and Writer in the US Median annual wages, May 2010 Writers and Authors: $55,420 Media and Communication Workers: $49,060 (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics)

Though most freelance writers work on an individual projects, many support themselves with income derived from other sources. Freelancers generally have to provide for their own health insurance and pension, unless they receive coverage from another job.

Industry Overview

Employment of writers and authors is expected to grow by 6 percent from 145,900 in 2010 to 155,400 in 2020. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Despite the slow growth in employment compared to other professions, online publications, websites and multimedia will spur demand for authors and writers. With the increase in electronic equipments like e-readers and ipads, reading as a hobby has gained popularity over the years. Writers who are comfortable with online media are expected to find jobs smoothly. Freelance writers can find work in newspapers, media houses and publishing companies.

Job Prospects of a Writer and Author in USA

A writer or author can find work in:

• Newspapers
• Magazines and Journals
• Websites and blogs
• Publishing Houses
• Media and Entertainment companies