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Job outlook for research writers in the United States
Are research writer jobs in demand?
Research writer job and salary trends over time
Research writer jobs over time
Research writer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 734 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 753 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 782 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 776 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 770 | 0.00% |
Average research writer salary over time
Research writer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $50,741 | $24.39 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $49,517 | $23.81 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $48,837 | $23.48 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $48,212 | $23.18 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $47,478 | $22.83 | --0.6% |
Research writer jobs by state
Most common states for research writers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 202 | 29% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 119 | 19% |
| 3 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 714 | 17% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 174 | 16% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 206 | 15% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,157 | 14% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 772 | 14% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 131 | 14% |
| 9 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 82 | 14% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 242 | 13% |
| 11 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,730 | 12% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,480 | 12% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 700 | 12% |
| 14 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 377 | 12% |
| 15 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 108 | 12% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,033 | 11% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 220 | 11% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 117 | 11% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 343 | 10% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 78 | 10% |
Most common cities for research writers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brookline | 1 | 2% | $65,300 |
| 2 | Kannapolis | 1 | 2% | $55,191 |
Research Writer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of research writer experts
University of Cincinnati Clermont College
SUNY College at Oswego
Utah State University
Fairfield University
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
University of San Francisco
The University of the Arts
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Molloy College
University of Richmond
Ursinus College
American University
York College of Pennsylvania
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Metropolitan State University
University of Baltimore
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Terry Nugent: Maximizing your salary potential will largely be dependent on how well you have navigated your undergraduate opportunities. Participating in student organizations, internships, and electives such as music appreciation or theatre can open up unexpected opportunities or make you a good fit for local nonprofit organization. Taking advantage of traveling opportunities and study abroad will also broaden your opportunities. Finally, realizing that education is a life long endeavor and obtaining certifications will document added skills.
What general advice would you give to a Research Writer?
Laura Wilson: Writing and editing will always be important and prevalent. Clear communication is increasingly important. Encourage writers to work WITH AI by learning how to use the software and edit the output. Encourage exploration of certificates to make them more marketable.
What general advice would you give to a Research Writer?
Soma Frazier: AI can do a lot of things writers do, and quickly. It's mastered the hard skills of writing, but it's not yet proficient in the soft skills: in short, it's not human. So, I think soft skills like applying context, nuance and audience awareness to the tone of written work will become evermore crucial.
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Soma Frazier: Take on a variety of jobs. For instance, while teaching and writing creative works, I was also freelancing and writing grants. In doing so, I developed multiple income sources as well as a broad skill base that ultimately equipped me to secure higher-paying opportunities. Beyond that, each job shaped my creative writing: crafting pithy articles taught me to revise down, while developing grant proposals taught me to make a specific mission or topic feel relevant to the everyday reader. You may hit the jackpot and land your dream career straight out of school. If you're like the rest of us, though, there will be a period of uncertainty in which you're building your portfolio and finding your stride. That's the perfect time to take a note from improv comedians and be receptive to opportunities and ideas by saying 'Yes.'
What general advice would you give to a Research Writer?
Shane Graham: Remember the skills you honed as an English major: pay close attention to detail, ground your thinking in evidence, find reliable sources of information, and put things in their larger context. All of these skills will serve you well in whatever job you pursue.
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shane Graham: All the skills I mentioned above. Humanities degrees, and the kinds of thinking they encourage, will only become more important in the years to come. AI chatbots can only regurgitate and mimic thinking that already exists in the world; the well-trained human brain can create something new.
Rachel Robinson-Zetzer PhD
Assistant Professor of the Practice and Assistant Director of Core WritingFairfield University
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
What general advice would you give to a Research Writer?
Rachel Robinson-Zetzer PhD: People are scared of the blank page. Too often, they think that what they write needs to be perfect in its first iteration; however, that’s a myth and a romantic notion of the lone, solitary writer. In fact, much writing happens in collaboration with others, and people are either drawn to that environment, or they aren’t. Once people realize that writing is malleable, meaning it can be changed and revised again and again, that desire to seek perfection lessens, and Writers are more willing to kill their darlings.
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rachel Robinson-Zetzer PhD: Writing is a great profession to enter now because it’s a way to reach a specific audience for a specific purpose. With all the misinformation in the world today, Writers have a lot of power. It’s an exciting time to let your voice be heard, whether that’s through fiction, newswriting, memoir, cartoon, or something else.
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Allison Rittmayer: Don't undercut your skills and experience. You are likely qualified for more jobs than you think you are. You need to promote your experience writing in different genres and across media. Likewise, don't be afraid to take on new projects in unfamiliar formats or unfamiliar roles. That is the key to continual growth.
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dean Rader: Well, writing, reading, and communication skills are always going to be vital. AI won't change that. In fact, the very things AI can't do yet is be human. And no major trains people better to interact with humans than English. Right now, video game manufacturers need writers, tech companies need editors, Websites need copywriters. But, every field can use an English major. Every field needs people with vision and ideas. The world needs people with clarity, who can articulate ideas, and who can make connections. That defines an English major.
What general advice would you give to a Research Writer?
Paul Cook: English is way more than just the study of literature. English majors learn how to read, write, and speak well—three essential and timeless skills that will serve you well in your professional lives, in a knowledge economy, and in the (post)digital era.
What will help Research Writers increase their earning potential?
Michael Pennell: Gain experience while in college, through internships, coursework, service, etc. Find your niche and differentiate yourself from others in the field. Consider how a specific minor or certificate may give you an edge. For example, a certificate or minor in professional and technical writing can enhance a candidate's appeal to employers, as well as maximize salary potential. Adding an internship and other 'real world' experience on top of that minor or certificate further maximizes one's earning potential. Develop a strong portfolio! Finally, networking may also maximize salary potential—do people know you and do they see you as an asset for their company or organization? Much of this advice applies equally to those pursuing freelance and contract work, as well.
Liam Callanan
professor, EnglishUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
English Language And Literature
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Liam Callanan: Writing, writing, writing. And in whole sentences. Not like these. Communication will be key in every field, and people who are trained to be critical thinkers, who practice good listening, who write clearly, concisely, and thoughtfully, will be highly valued.
Prof. Laura Betz PhD
Associate Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in EnglishWhat Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Prof. Laura Betz PhD: Any graduate beginning a career should feel very confident in the skills of critical thinking, writing, and public speaking that the English major has provided, and should be bold in putting those skills to work in many different professional contexts.
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Katherine Kim Ph.D: -You should have your application documents polished and organized. In addition, students can take advantage of opportunities to highlight themselves while still in school. For instance, getting published in a school literary magazine, heading a school-sponsored literature club or author event, or working for a school (or outside) publication can show your skills and interests before you even apply for full-time positions. Also, part of the situation deals with striking a balance between how you want to be desired by the person doing the hiring and how you want to show desire for the position. While you want to cast a wide net sometimes when looking for jobs, you also want to put in that extra effort with the applications for jobs that would be really great fits. If the hiring person and you both see how well you would fit in the position, that can help make the case for trying to secure you for the job!
What will help Research Writers increase their earning potential?
Katherine Kim Ph.D: -I think it depends on what field you are discussing, as 'English' doesn't necessarily need to be seen as a field (unless you are speaking of teaching or studying English language or literature). However, I can say that the great thing about an English degree is that it can be beneficial for people to have in a variety of fields. In fact, for quite a few years now, people in fields like business have been wanting new hires with better communication, writing, interpersonal interaction, and close analysis skills, as well as mental flexibility, than they have been seeing. These are all skills that can be practiced and honed through being an English major! Sometimes people think of English degrees as useful only if someone is going to teach English, but that is definitely not the case!
Justin Wigard
Postdoctoral Research FellowUniversity of Richmond
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
What general advice would you give to a Research Writer?
Justin Wigard: Think big and be open to new opportunities. Written communication is present in all fields, so the writing skills you obtain can translate across disciplines and professional contexts. Having some experience with digital tools or data science, even just a little bit, will allow you to combine your qualitative writing experiences with quantitative approaches.
Jay Shelat
Ursinus College
English Language And Literature
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jay Shelat: The skills that will be important in the next three to five years are literacy, writing, and analysis. These are helpful skills for whichever job you might have.
What will help Research Writers increase their earning potential?
Jay Shelat: Learn to negotiate for a higher salary!
What general advice would you give to a Research Writer?
Chelsea Horne Ph.D.: Use and develop the skills you have already gained during your degree. And be on the lookout for opportunities to continue expanding your skill toolkit, such as professional development workshops, certificates, and graduate programs (like the innovative MA in Literature, Culture, and Technology we offer at American University), where you can further hone expertise that can make you stand out. We are at a moment full of potential; maintaining flexibility and supporting the expansion of your skillsets can help you maximize your position.
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Gabriel Cutrufello: *With the increasing use of AI in everyday life, one of the most important skills for new graduates to learn is interacting successfully with AI (depending on their specific career/organization's expectations). Closely related to that, editing skills (both developmental and line editing) will be the most important to hone. AI is adept at generating first-draft materials (when prompted successfully), but the content needs development to meet standards of accuracy and readability. After those skills, the soft skill of adaptability is paramount. The ability to continue to learn and adapt will serve future writers well.*
Dr. Arthur Garrison LP.D.
ProfessorKutztown University of Pennsylvania
Criminal Justice And Corrections
What will help Research Writers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Arthur Garrison LP.D.: In CJ, writing skills and the ability to work with people and the ability to learn new things.
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gabriel Aguilar PhD: In my field, generative AI will become the most important research area. Scholars and students are both excited and concerned about the possibilities of AI, and there is much research to do. I would recommend two recent special issues on generative AI from the journals Computers & Composition and the Journal of Business and Technical Communication (JBTC). The research there is great.
Dr. Belo Cipriani
Metropolitan State University
Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
What general advice would you give to a Research Writer?
Dr. Belo Cipriani: When employers are looking to hire a writer or content creator they review work samples. As a result, I encourage my students to try to secure more than one internship while in our program. Likewise, I recommend that they consider doing volunteer work with a local nonprofit, as this will help them grow their portfolio of writing credits. I’ve been teaching for 15 years and I have seen many students cut their job search in half and receive higher starting pay by dedicating time to build long lists of projects they can show to potential employers.
What Research Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Betsy Boyd: Become the best writer and communicator you can possibly be. By reading and writing as often as possible. By taking notes. By staying excited about your own perspective and the good work of others. Going back to school can be a good way to strengthen your abilities, gain community support, and earn an advanced degree that commands a higher salary.