What they do
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Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.
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| Also called: |
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Author, Book Author, Children's Book Author, Creative Writer, Fiction Author, Freelance Writer, Lyricist, Novelist, Poet, Songwriter
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Wages
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| Writers and Authors* |
| Vermont - 2023 |
| Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
| 10% |
$ 24.92 |
$51,830 |
| 25% |
$ 30.04 |
$62,490 |
| Median |
$ 33.65 |
$69,990 |
| 75% |
$ 43.26 |
$89,980 |
| 90% |
$ 88.23 |
$183,510 |
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| Average |
$ 41.36 |
$86,030 |
| * You're seeing information for "Writers and Authors" because it includes "Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers" for which wage information is not available. |
| 1 What are Percentile Wages? |
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| More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
| Writers and Authors* |
| United States - 2020 |
| Industry | Percent of total |
| 68% |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 9% |
- Publishing industries (except Internet)
| 3% |
- Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries
| 3% |
- Educational services; state, local, and private
| 3% |
| * You're seeing information for "Writers and Authors" because it includes "Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers" for which industries of employment information is not available. |
| More at BLS |
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Knowledge
| People in this career often know a lot about: |
- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
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- Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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| More at O*NET |
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Skills
| People in this career often have these skills: |
- Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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| More at O*NET |
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Interests
| People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
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- Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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| What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
| People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
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- Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
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- Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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- Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
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- Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
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| More at O*NET |
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Tasks
| On the job, you would: |
- Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
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- Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
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- Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
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- Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
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- Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.
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| More at O*NET |
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| Related Occupations
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| Career Video
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Projected Employment
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| Writers and Authors* |
| Vermont |
| 2020 employment |
731 |
| 2030 employment |
829 |
Annual percent change
(compounded) |
1.3% |
Annual projected job openings
(due to change and separations) |
84 |
| * You're seeing information for "Writers and Authors" because it includes "Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers" for which projected employment information is not available. |
| More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
| Writers and Authors* |
- Typical education needed for entry
Bachelor's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Long-term on-the-job training
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| * You're seeing information for "Writers and Authors" because it includes "Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers" for which education and experience information is not available. |
| Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
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- Physical activity is Seldom Important
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- Level of activity is Very Low
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| Low |  | High |
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| Compare Occupations at O*NET |
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Job Zone
| Considerable Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(7.0 to < 8.0) - A typical worker will require
over 2 years up to and including 4 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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| Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
| How much education do most people in this career have? |
| Education level |  | Percent of
U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree
or post-MA certificate | | 4% |
Master's degree or
post-BA certificate | | 8% |
| Bachelor's degree | | 46% |
| Associate's degree | | 0% |
Certificate or some college,
no degree | | 8% |
High school diploma
or equivalent | | 15% |
| Less than high school diploma | | 19% |
| More at O*NET |
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Abilities
| People in this career often have talent in: |
- Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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- Fluency of Ideas
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
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- Originality
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
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- Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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| More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
| In general, what you might do: |
- Thinking Creatively
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
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- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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| More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
| What you might do in a day: |
- Write material for artistic or entertainment purposes.
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- Discuss production content and progress with others.
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- Determine presentation subjects or content.
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- Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
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| More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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