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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 9% by 2030. 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 eight best writing jobs, so you can land your dream position fast!
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.
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.
8 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.
Content Writer
Salary: $50,000
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in English or a related discipline
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. Depending on the company, you may need a Bachelor’s degree in English or a related discipline to get hired into the role.
Copywriter
Salary: $60,000
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in English, Communication, Marketing, or another related area
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. You may need a Bachelor’s degree in English, Communication, Marketing, or another related area to break into this position.
Grant Writer
Salary: $51,000
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in English or a similar field
As a Grant Writer, you’ll write proposals to help your organization get the funding it needs to carry out its mission. Generally, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in English or a similar field to assume this role.
Technical Writer
Salary: $69,000
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree and some technical knowledge
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 guides. Typically, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree and some technical knowledge to be a fit for this job.
Creative Writer
Salary: $63,000
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in English, Creative Writing, or a similar discipline
As a Creative Writer, you’ll flex your writing chops by crafting compelling works, like novels, short stories, essays, and more. If you’re an entrepreneur, this could look like writing and selling self-published books. In general, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in English, Creative Writing, or a similar discipline to land this position.
Blogger
Salary: $38,000
Education Requirements: None
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. Generally, you don’t need a degree to become a Blogger.
Journalist
Salary: $42,000
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or a related discipline
As a Journalist, you’ll research and write about relevant news stories. You may cover politics, sports, local events, and more. You’ll more than likely need a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or a related discipline to break into this career path.
Editor
Salary: $53,000
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in English, Communication, or Journalism
As an Editor, you’ll review, enhance, and improve the written works of other writers. You’ll be on the lookout for grammar, punctuation, logic, flow, proper word choice, and more. Typically, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in English, Communication, or Journalism to become an Editor.
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.
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.
Where To Find Writing Jobs
Ready to search for writing jobs? Before you start applying, make sure your 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.
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 9% 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!