What Are The 15 Highest Paying Writing Jobs? (2023)

If you can identify thehighest payingwriting jobs, you can make afull-timeincome and energize yourwriting career.

Many people will try to tell you that there is no money in writing. They either say that the field is too competitive, assignments are not regular enough, or that no one wants to pay the cost of good writing. But, they failto consider how many people earn more than the median salary for all occupations in the U.S. ($41,950 as of May 2020.)

There are all kinds of people workinghigh-payingwriting jobs and earning a respectable income. May editors make $80,000 a year or more. Content managers can easily break six figures.

Work on excelling in areas like our list of highest paying writing jobs below to increase your income.

1.Technical Writer

Technical writinginvolves taking complex ideas and translating them into an easy-to-understand format. To excel in this field, you’ll need not justwriting skills, but some understanding of tech-related concepts, as well.

It also pays to be a strong researcher. You don’t need to be asubject matterexpert in everything you write about, but you do need to be able to take in information and synthesize it into clear and concise text.

Average salary: $60,852

Why not check out our article on the perfect style guide for business writing to help you prepare for this niche.

2. Speechwriter

Few public figures write their speeches. Instead, they hire skilled writers who can translate their ideas into compelling spoken words.

While political speechwriters are the most well-known kind, there are also speechwriters in other niches. For example, speechwriters may craft speeches for executives, academics, and even people who want a very special wedding toast.

To be a successful speechwriter, you need to write simply, directly, and conversationally. You need to be able to analyze potential audiences and write in a style that they will find relatable. And, you need to capture the natural voice of your client, so your speech does not sound canned.

Average salary: $85,950.

3.Screenwriter

Screenwritershave an essential role in bringing your favorite entertainment to life. They are behind hit movies and also the episodes of your favorite shows. There are even unsung heroes who get paid a premium behind the scenes to “punch up” scripts that are good but not perfect.

To be a successfulscreenwriter, you need to be able to work collaboratively, acceptcriticism and make changes based on what others want. You will also need to have a good ear for dialog and a basic understanding of the structure of a screenplay.

Average salary: $110,000

4. Novelist

Many people think that being a successful novelist is a pie-in-the-sky dream. However, many writers are making full-time, reliable incomes writing fiction to fit the market.

If you feel you have a book in you, take some time to get familiar with the business. Look for agents who accept first-time writers. Learn about the tropes, expectations, and word counts associated with your writing genres.

Average salary: $49,046

5.Ghostwriter

Often, professionals in fields that range from tech to the movies have stories and wisdom they’d like to share, but not the time orwriting skillto write a book of their own. This is whereghostwriterscome in. If you care more about the act of writing than securingbylines, this can be an excellent path for you.

Aghostwriterwill work with a client to create a book together. It is common forghostwritersto interview their subjects chapter by chapter and write the book based on what their client has to share.

Most ghostwriting is done byfreelance writers. Fees vary but can run from $30K to $80K or more for a full-length book.Ghostwritersalso often handlesocial mediaand blogs for public figures.

6. Greeting Card Writer

If you have a way with words, this can be a great way to make a living. Most people who buy greeting cards say that they choose them based on their connection with the words in the text. Since greeting cards are short and sweet, the pay per word is among the highest you’ll find.

Average earnings for writing greeting cardsrange from $25 to $150 per accepted submission.

7. Travel Writer

Travel writing is a dream for many people who love writing and exploring new places. Travel writers can include bylined journalists writing for glossy magazines, solopreneurbloggers, and long-form writers who contribute detailed guidebooks about different locations.

Many travel writers work directly with specific hotel chains, tourism boards, and other entities to encourage travel to specific places.

Theaverage travel writermakes $59,197 a year.

8.Grant Writer

Many foundations and nonprofits depend on grants for their operational costs. Therefore, these organizations will employgrant writersto ensure the best possible chances of a successful application.

Grant writersstart by identifying potential funding sources and then writing proposals that persuade the group to contribute to their client’s needs.

Different donors will have different requirements that must be followed to be considered. For example, grant writerswill need toknow howto break down costs and what sorts of language are most likely to persuade a donor.

Somegrant writersare employees of the organizations they help. Others are freelancers who charge flat rates or a percentage of the secured grant.

Thenationalaverage salaryis $42,879.

9.Copywriter

Copywriterscan create copy for materials that include blogs, websites, pay-per-click articles, and more. However, in today’s highly digital environment, they need skills insearch engineoptimization (SEO) along with a knack for persuasion.

While manycopywritershavebachelor’sdegreesin advertising, journalism,English, or a related field, a degree is unnecessary. Some work as part of a specific agency’s staff, others takefreelancewriting jobs.

Theaverage national salary for acopywriteris $50,846.

If you need help building up a portfolio, check out our article on creating writing samples.

10.Content Writerand Strategist

It takes skill to get your client to stand out from the crowd.Content writersand strategists use blog posts, articles,social media, and ads to bring potential clients to a website.

To excel incontent writing, you need to stay on top of the latest bestSEOpractices. Content marketing also needs to hit a delicate balance between providing the information that potential prospects want and an enticing feel without being overly promotional.

Salaries in this area can vary wildly.Beginnersmay work for a few cents a word. But, on the other hand, experiencedcontent strategists can earnaround $59,920 a year, on average.

11.Proposal Writer

When companies are looking for funding or contracts, a formal written proposal is often part of the process.Proposal writershave skills in persuasive writing to demonstrate how their clients can meet an investor’s or customer’s needs.

While many people in this field have degrees in disciplines like journalism or communication, it is not necessary. Instead, potential employers will look at aproposal writer’s track record with successful deals.

Thenationalaverage salaryfor aproposal writeris $57,628.

12. Romance Writer

This is an area ofcreative writingthat is so in demand it requires its own separate listing. Every year, romance novel sales exceed $1 billion. About a third of all mass-market fiction books are in the romance genre. And that doesn’t even begin to touch the demand for romance games and interactive novel writers.

Most romance writers are freelancers. They may self-publish on platforms like Amazon or sell their stories to publishers like Harlequin or Avon. However, there are also many calls onjob boardsfor writers to create content for romance games. These are usually work for hire, with the client company keeping the rights.

Because earnings are self-reported, it is hard to put a firm number on how much a romance writer earns. However, reports of$8,000 a month in salesor more are not uncommon.

13.Public RelationsWriter

Maintaining a positive public image in today’s highly connected environment is more important than ever before.Public relationswriters will handle writing tasks that includepress releases, speeches,social mediaposts, blog posts, and more.

It is common for people in this field to seek a degree inpublic relations, journalism, business, or a related field. Some may also pursue master’s degrees in areas that include public health or nonprofit management.

Thenationalaverage salaryforpublic relationswritersis $54,111.

14. Columnist

Many people return week after week to read insights from their favorite columnists. While columnists typically had work that appeared in newspapers and magazines in the past, many communicate directly with readers now through emailed newsletters on platforms like Substack.

Many columnists have degrees in areas like journalism or communication. Others will have education or life experience in the areas they write about, including food, politics, history, or other areas. There are, however, no specific educational requirements to become a columnist.

Specific publishers employ some columnists. Others earn money on the syndication of their columns.

Thenationalaverage salaryfor a columnist is $39,956.

15. Nonfiction Writer

If you have niche knowledge, a following onsocial media, or something else in your background that sets you apart, you may have what it takes to become a nonfiction book writer.

Publishers like John Wiley & Sons are continually looking forsubject matterexperts who also have a knack for writing. As a result, they do not accept proposals. Instead, they prefer to contact the writers with who they want to work. Other nonfiction publishers have submission guidelines that typically start with a proposal and a few sample chapters.

Afull-timenonfiction writer earns, on average, $61,240 a year.

The Final Word on theHighest PayingWriting Jobs

Writing skillscan be a boon in a massive array of fields. To succeed, you need to work on your writing skills and research in your chosen and other related fieldsto increase your marketability. Whilenewbiesmay not make a lot, experienced writers can advance through a number of fields to earn a comfortable living with their trade.

FAQ About theHighest Paying Writing Jobs