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Job outlook for creative writing instructors in the United States
Are creative writing instructor jobs in demand?
Creative writing instructor job and salary trends over time
Creative writing instructor jobs over time
Creative writing instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 752 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 833 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 873 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 879 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 889 | 0.00% |
Average creative writing instructor salary over time
Creative writing instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $65,256 | $31.37 | +0.7% |
| 2025 | $64,774 | $31.14 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | $62,977 | $30.28 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $61,388 | $29.51 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $60,272 | $28.98 | +2.8% |
Creative writing instructor jobs by state
Most common states for creative writing instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 60 | 10% |
| 2 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 517 | 9% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 664 | 8% |
| 4 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 390 | 8% |
| 5 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 312 | 8% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 88 | 8% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 73 | 8% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 59 | 8% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 773 | 7% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 708 | 7% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 41 | 7% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 522 | 6% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 395 | 6% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 175 | 6% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 59 | 6% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 44 | 6% |
| 17 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 453 | 5% |
| 18 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 318 | 5% |
| 19 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 143 | 5% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 71 | 5% |
Most common cities for creative writing instructors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Lansing | 1 | 2% | $88,340 |
Creative Writing Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of creative writing instructor experts
College of the Marshall Islands
SUNY Buffalo State
Wilson College
University of Houston - Downtown
Louisiana State University
Concordia University
Arizona State University
Southwestern College
Pennsylvania State University Altoona
Wright State University
Lafayette College
Franklin and Marshall College
University of Mount Union
Youngstown State University
University of West Georgia
Boise State University
Linfield University
What Creative Writing Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alexander Velasquez: I think that in the next three to five years the most important skills to have—and I mean this—will be critical thinking and imagination. This may sound a bit outlandish, and maybe even a bit naive, but hear me out: Artificial intelligence is making strides to the point where papers are writing themselves with simple instructions, videos are generating themselves with simple instructions, and software is beginning to write itself; and all this has been happening within the last few years. We may begin to see that in the next three to five years, once coveted programming jobs could become automated. Now, what I'm *not* saying is don't go to school for computer programming; but what I *am* saying is that the nature of work and employment *is* changing. For example, if you and and AI are making a video, and both of you have the same script, same voiceover, and so on, the only thing separating your final product from the AI's is the way you *think and imagine*, the perspective that you have as someone who can think critically about the information and lay it out in a visually appealing manner. AI can't do that—at least not yet—because it simply spits out the information it's given. But critical thought, metalevel thinking about information, is what will be one of the most important assets to have in the coming three to five years.
Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSUNY Buffalo State
Department of English
What hard/technical skills are most important for Creative Writing Instructors?
Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.: Most of these have to do with their ability to write and think. Their critical thinking skills and self-motivation make them valuable contributors to the workplaces they join. Because they are trained to be self-motivated, they tend to need less oversight to ensure the success of the project(s) they are completing, making for less direct administrative need. They have been trained to break apart a problem and see (and solve) the problem's component parts through the process of critical thinking. Trained in a meta-discourse, they do not become outdated when one formal system in their field becomes obsolete, but they see beyond systems to larger issues.
Michael Cornelius Ph.D.
Professor of English, Program Director MAHUMWilson College
English Department
What skills stand out on Creative Writing Instructor resumes?
Michael Cornelius Ph.D.: In the academy, we often talk about English majors teaching students vital skills in critical thinking, communication, research, and analysis. An English major can be handed a project and know how to research the necessary components, compile them together in a clear and consistent format, and present that material to a client or supervisor with confidence. And I think the skill that really unites all of these aspects of the English major is independence. In our field, we ask students to articulate the rudiments of pragmatics, identify the meaning inherent to a seventeenth-century poem, and punch back at the masterpieces of the canon. No student can tackle such a diverse learning platform without a streak of independence that teaches them that, yes, scholars have been analyzing and deconstructing Shakespeare for 500 years, but no one has quite seen the text the way you have, and that's why you need to write about it. Heck, in a national conversation about higher education that strongly suggests that any major without a specific job title in its name should not even be considered, it takes someone who is a bit of a maverick to choose a major in English. But that independent streak serves our students really well in their careers and lives beyond college.
On a resume, I look for independence in that projection completion mode: acting as editor for student media; presenting a paper at a conference; writing a theatrical work; publishing; internships; etc. Anything that shows me that the applicant can tackle a project and get it done is what I am looking for.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Creative Writing Instructors?
Michael Cornelius Ph.D.: While college-and college students-are increasingly digital, students are becoming less and less technical. Even compared to 10 years ago, my students' technical knowledge has significantly declined. That is why I encourage my students to become proficient in some useful software suite, such as Adobe Creative Cloud. Taking one or two classes in any software suite is tremendously beneficial and can help an applicant to really stand out from other English majors.
What soft skills should all Creative Writing Instructors possess?
Michael Cornelius Ph.D.: Communication and care. Communication in all of its forms-written, oral, public speaking, and interpersonal, one-on-one communication abilities are all vital. A confident communicator can work wonders in many fields.
Add to that care. The study of English is not just the study of language; it is the study of those narratives that shape and dominate humanity and the means through which we make and understand them. I can't think of a better way to learn and know people. But that should come through as an ethos of care. If you want to teach, you must care for your students. No matter the field an English major may find themselves in, an ethos of care will serve them well.
What skills will help Creative Writing Instructors earn the most?
Michael Cornelius Ph.D.: Self-advocacy. I am not suggesting every English major rush to their boss and demand a big raise, but our culture continually suggests one should apologize for majoring in a liberal arts field. I don't buy it. English majors are amazing at solving problems, facilitating communication, researching ideas, developing programs-they are, in short, the total package. And they have a tremendous capacity to learn new skills and new abilities. This is why students from my college, for example, end up in a huge variety of subject fields. We need to understand the value we bring to any organization as an English major.
Adam Ellwanger Ph.D.
Professor of EnglishUniversity of Houston - Downtown
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
What hard/technical skills are most important for Creative Writing Instructors?
Adam Ellwanger Ph.D.: Writing, Editing, Teaching, Reading.
What skills will help Creative Writing Instructors earn the most?
Adam Ellwanger Ph.D.: If you can document training in technical communication, professional writing, or rhetoric (as opposed to simply literature and/or creative writing), skills related to those sub-fields are highly valued by the corporate world and employers in the private sector -- the places that tend to pay people with backgrounds in English the most.
Jonathan Osborne Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of RhetoricLouisiana State University
English Department
What skills stand out on Creative Writing Instructor resumes?
Jonathan Osborne Ph.D.: Classroom management and proficiency with digital platforms hold an increasingly important role for writing instructors. Before the pandemic, many colleges and universities were gradually expanding online course offerings to accommodate the varied lives of their students. However, after COVID-19, online classrooms have become ubiquitous within academia, so writing instructors need to demonstrate skills with managing physical and virtual classrooms. Knowledge and expertise with digital platforms go together with classroom management as universities expect writing instructors to prepare incoming and current students to communicate effectively - whether in-person or online.
What soft skills should all Creative Writing Instructors possess?
Jonathan Osborne Ph.D.: The ability to clearly communicate ideas, theories, expectations, assignments, etc., stands as a paramount soft skill needed for writing instructors. Students already come into the classroom with high expectations concerning the level of attention they will receive in terms of instruction, so writing instructors need to develop methods to deliver information to students in a clear and easily understood manner. Clear communication also contributes to better engagement with course material. When students know what the instructor expects and what they must do, they typically engage more fully in their work. Additionally, listening to students is a second crucial soft skill writing instructors should develop. Including students in the learning process by listening to their perspectives and making small adjustments to accommodate their learning needs shows an attention to detail necessary in the modern writing classroom.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Creative Writing Instructors?
Jonathan Osborne Ph.D.: Writing instructors must know how to use multiple computer programs proficiently and at times use them simultaneously. Long gone are the days where all you needed to know were the basics of Microsoft Word and Excel. In addition to the learning platform used by the university (Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, Google Classroom, etc.), writing instructors must know how to use Zoom or other online video conference platforms to ensure smooth experiences for students who cannot come to the physical classroom.
What skills will help Creative Writing Instructors earn the most?
Jonathan Osborne Ph.D.: Considering the competitive state of the job market, writing instructor applicants need to exhibit as many soft and hard skills as possible to make themselves more visible to the places they apply.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Creative Writing Instructor job market given the pandemic?
John Norton Ph.D.: A need to communicate clearly and creatively through different medium
What technical skills for a Creative Writing Instructor stand out to employers?
John Norton Ph.D.: - clear and creative communication
- advanced problem solving
- teamwork
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Creative Writing Instructors?
Jessica Early Ph.D.: Teachers who receive their reading endorsement as well as training in the teaching of writing through local sites of the National Writing Project, like the Central Arizona Writing Project at ASU put themselves at an advantage. Also, courses that prepare teachers in culturally sustaining teaching practices and digital literacies will help them meet the needs of diverse student populations and ever-evolving communication tools.
What technical skills for a Creative Writing Instructor stand out to employers?
John Rieder: In English, we look for applicants with a demonstrated commitment to the populations we serve in the community college (not just lip service, but proven commitment). Former community-college students and those with peer tutoring experience are always wonderful. We also look for an interest in ongoing professional development, particularly professional development related to "high challenge, high support" classroom instruction, to anti-racist and culturally responsive pedagogy/andragogy, and to overall advancing a culture of care, guidance, equity, and community.
What Creative Writing Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Roselyn Costantino Ph.D.: Most important advice: Take initiative and be productive.
Find practical ways to use skills even if unpaid. Volunteer work is good. Use language skills. Technology skills. Exploit technology skills around the area of interest. If you want to be a teacher find out what software they are using today; what research skills are they utilize. Make sure you log your activities during the gap year especially those that relate to the area in which you want to work. If you want to go into finance, and you're working at a lawn service, understand and learn the business model and the accounting. If you're working at Starbucks (or in any commercial environment), get a chance to do inventories, learn about the ordering process and sources and suppliers for those orders; and how people are scheduled for work. All of that is relevant experience for business.
The CFO and recruiter for Keystone Staffing Solutions emphasized having evidence in your resume of of being productive during the gap time, no matter if it's one, two or three years. Evidence of being productive is what recruiters want to see on your resume: He stresses: "What did you do to expand your knowledge and skills not only in your selected area but beyond. BEING PRODUCTIVE for yourself proves to be an indicator of how productive you will be for me."
Still on gap year. How to go about it? Use teachers, friends, family, anyone in the field or related to it to provide guidance, insight, suggestions. This can lead to projects or experience that will help in learning and growth.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Creative Writing Instructors, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Karla Huebner Ph.D.: Salaries are generally low, but now and then, artists and art historians can make good incomes--don't expect to.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Creative Writing Instructors, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Karina Skvirsky: Art careers are not known to pay well, but they produce enough and can be very satisfying for the mind and the soul.
What general advice would you give to a Creative Writing Instructor?
David McMahan Ph.D.: Keep open to possibilities beyond the narrow range of what your diploma lists as your major or minor. Whatever job you get trained for today, in 10-20 years, it may be very different. Or it may not exist. Focus on obtaining and maintaining flexibility, critical thinking, creativity, and passion for learning. Being an interesting person is as vital as any credential.
Dr. Jerome Miksell
Professor (Musicianship, Technology, Viola), Department ChairUniversity of Mount Union
Music Department
What Creative Writing Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jerome Miksell: An aspiring performer should be practicing and looking for performance opportunities. I would also recommend travel that might enhance understanding of a particular style of music.
Those interested in business opportunities could consider finding a part-time job in a music store.
What experience really stands out on Creative Writing Instructor resumes?
Dragana Crnjak: Real-life - outside of the classroom - experiences always stand out, such as exhibitions, internships, museum assistantships, public art projects, community projects, etc. We encourage students to participate in many different activities throughout their college years with a range of experiences provided from exhibiting independently, in group exhibits, working on collaborative projects, community public art projects (such as the mural class this semester where students were involved in all stages of decision-making, from sketching and ideation, communication, site preparation, and painting, writing art proposals, etc.), internships, etc. Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are essential to all art projects and processes, and these skills not only contribute well to so many professions and fields, but they are also life-lasting skills that develop creative, engaged, and open-minded thinkers and citizens.
What type of skills will young Creative Writing Instructors need?
Ye Chen Ph.D.: Graduates with educational technology (Ed Tech) degrees commonly work as instructional designers, technology/media specialists, trainers, e-learning developers in k12 school, university, military, company, or government. The skills employers usually want in Ed Tech graduates include:
- Instructional design skills for analyzing instructional needs and designing & developing effective instructional solutions.
- Technical skills in utilizing technology to develop and implement instruction. At the same time, they are expected to understand how to integrate technology into instructional settings in a pedagogically meaningful way.
- Communication skills are essential as their work roles heavily rely on effective communication with content experts, clients, trainees/students, etc. throughout the instructional design process
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Creative Writing Instructors to find work opportunities?
Ye Chen Ph.D.: You could go to higheredjobs.com, https://jobs.chronicle.com/, or university websites for a higher ed job, go-to company, or other organization websites (e.g., Google) industry/government jobs; or use LinkedIn, attend job fairs and professional conferences, to search for job opportunities.
Dr. Lori Gray
Associate Professor: Director of Music EducationBoise State University
Department of Music Education
What type of skills will young Creative Writing Instructors need?
Dr. Lori Gray: For the past several years, it has been clear that employers are seeking graduates with 21st Century Learning Skills (critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration). The four Cs of 21st Century Learning frequently come up during reference calls on my end and interviews for our recent graduates.
I would add that graduates need a strong work ethic, an understanding of professionalism and respect in the workplace, and self-awareness and an understanding of personal needs and limitations both at work and in their personal lives. In these current living conditions during a global pandemic (COVID-19), graduates also need resilience, perseverance, adaptability, and flexibility. These are all skills I would want for our Music Education majors to cultivate, as the climate in K-12 Education is ever-changing. However, I believe these are all skills that would be useful in any new career path.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Creative Writing Instructors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Carrie Kondor: Still, I can say that I believe graduates will find more job possibilities than before, given the broader continuum of teaching environments that this pandemic has opened up!