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Job outlook for senior copywriters in the United States
Senior copywriter job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior copywriter job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 5,900 new jobs for senior copywriters are projected over the next decade.
Senior copywriter salaries have increased 10% for senior copywriters in the last 5 years.
There are over 4,882 senior copywriters currently employed in the United States.
There are 11,349 active senior copywriter job openings in the US.
The average senior copywriter salary is $76,238.
Are senior copywriter jobs in demand?
Senior copywriter job and salary trends over time
Senior copywriter jobs over time
Senior copywriter job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,882 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,392 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,536 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,453 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,440 | 0.00% |
Average senior copywriter salary over time
Senior copywriter salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $76,238 | $36.65 | +6.2% |
| 2025 | $71,785 | $34.51 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $70,615 | $33.95 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | $70,218 | $33.76 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | $69,559 | $33.44 | +1.6% |
Senior copywriter jobs by state
Most common states for senior copywriters
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 198 | 29% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 310 | 5% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 307 | 5% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 27 | 5% |
| 5 | New York | 19,849,399 | 699 | 4% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 372 | 4% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 180 | 4% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 27 | 4% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 25 | 4% |
| 10 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 197 | 3% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 90 | 3% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 53 | 3% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 29 | 3% |
| 14 | California | 39,536,653 | 916 | 2% |
| 15 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 272 | 2% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 210 | 2% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 201 | 2% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 95 | 2% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 64 | 2% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 31 | 2% |
Most common cities for senior copywriters
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 4 | 14% | $71,491 |
| 2 | Juneau | 4 | 12% | $80,451 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 4 | 10% | $78,748 |
| 4 | Hartford | 5 | 4% | $81,011 |
| 5 | Lansing | 4 | 3% | $71,629 |
| 6 | Springfield | 4 | 3% | $82,724 |
| 7 | Little Rock | 4 | 2% | $67,291 |
| 8 | Tallahassee | 4 | 2% | $62,318 |
| 9 | Boston | 6 | 1% | $91,101 |
| 10 | Denver | 6 | 1% | $78,971 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 5 | 1% | $69,731 |
| 12 | Sacramento | 5 | 1% | $133,571 |
| 13 | Baltimore | 4 | 1% | $78,858 |
| 14 | Washington | 4 | 1% | $93,471 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge | 3 | 1% | $70,037 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 6 | 0% | $61,781 |
| 17 | Chicago | 4 | 0% | $84,305 |
| 18 | Indianapolis | 4 | 0% | $91,041 |
Senior Copywriter job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior copywriter experts
Washington and Lee University
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
University of Georgia
Midland College
Fairfield University
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Mercer University
University of Nevada - Reno
California University of Pennsylvania
University of Minnesota
Bucknell University
University of Oregon
University of California
What Senior Copywriter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kevin Finch: Don't panic. There are lots of jobs available, especially in TV news and in new startups-newsletters, podcasts, web-based operations. But most jobs in communications do not hire a year in advance like some high-level business jobs. You are NOT behind if you don't have a job right now. You'll get one.
Be honest with yourself. Don't apply for jobs you don't really want just for the sake of trying to get something. Picture yourself on the other end of a phone call when a manager says, "Congratulations, you're hired." If the thought makes you nervous or sad, don't apply. Don't waste their time and yours. Sometimes that's about a region of the country where you'd prefer not to live. Sometimes, it's about a particular city, or certain ownership. Whatever your own objection, listen to your inner voice and don't apply.
Bring your family into the conversation. It's YOUR job and your career, but things will go better if you explain what your work hours will be. Some family compromises include asking you to take a job within a two-hour flight of home-or a six-hour car ride. Also, educate them on the likelihood that you may move three times before you're 30. It's the nature of journalism and related careers.
Natalie Becerra
Career Development SpecialistUniversity of Nebraska - Lincoln
Journalism
What general advice would you give to a Senior Copywriter?
Natalie Becerra: Do your research! If you plan to negotiate your salary you need to go in with some research to back up that counteroffer. There are plenty of reliable sites out there to help you determine the market average salary for the type of role you're applying for, while also taking geographic location into consideration. I also encourage students to try and get a rough estimate of their cost of living, especially if they plan to relocate to a larger city, so they can make sure they can make ends meet with the salary they're offered. That research plus evaluating your "value adds" you bring to the role (prestigious education, years of relevant experience, etc.) are all things that you can use to advocate for yourself.
Dr. Keith Herndon Ph.D.
Professor of Practice and Executive Director of the Cox Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership.University of Georgia
Journalism
What will help Senior Copywriters increase their earning potential?
Dr. Keith Herndon Ph.D.: Don't be afraid to negotiate your starting salary. Young journalists have a lot to offer newsrooms through social media skills and a willingness to adapt to new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Technology skills have value and should not be undersold. Also, young journalism students should not discount the value of their student media and internship experiences. Young journalists must use everything on their resumes to show how they bring value to their position and ask to be compensated fairly for the work they will contribute to the newsroom's success.
Stacey Hewitt
Communications CoordinatorMidland College
What skills stand out on Senior Copywriter resumes?
Stacey Hewitt: The skill that stands out on Multimedia Journalist's resume is the ability to wear many hats/handle multiple responsibilities. Gone are the days where TV news reporters had photogs that took the video for them, and they just asked the questions. Journalists are doing everything all by themselves. I'm talking - you are responsible for coming up with your own story ideas/pitches, going live on Facebook before news shows, editing a story for news shows, cutting a different version for the web, and maybe even writing a print version for a newspaper partner. Showcase all your experiences, especially web and video editing experience, as everything is becoming more visual on video platforms. Even if you aren't responsible for web or editing in your current job, try to dabble in it so you can put it on your resume. Or go back to school and take a class in video and video editing.
Matt Tullis
Director of Digital Journalism, Co-Director of Sports Media, Assistant Professor of Practice of Digital Journalism, Author of Running With Ghosts, Host and Producer of Gangrey: The PodcastFairfield University
College of Arts & Sciences
What skills will help Senior Copywriters earn the most?
Matt Tullis: I don't know if there is a definite answer to this, other than you just have to be willing to work hard to pull off amazing journalism. The more you do that, the more you move up the ranks.
What type of skills will young Senior Copywriters need?
Patricia Hastings: Young graduates will need a few skills outside of the usual ones for a good journalism job. They will have to be able to interview for jobs via Zoom or whatever system is used. That's a different skill set than being in person. I also believe students will have to work harder to "brand" themselves. Why should someone hire you? Do the resume and work examples say "I am the go to person for getting this done?" Make an elevator pitch for yourself and see how hard it is to do. The usual skills still need to be there-video, social, maybe audio-because that's what it takes today.
I also think graduates needs to be aware of the information that's out there, and be suspicious or know enough to check for accuracy. If a photo is digitally manipulated, will you know? How can you tell? In my opinion, this is maybe the biggest skill needed. What is balanced and researched as to what is created to satisfy some agenda? This has and will continue to be an area to watch.
Dr. Joshua Rodefer Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology and NeuroscienceMercer University
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
What type of skills will young Senior Copywriters need?
Dr. Joshua Rodefer Ph.D.: I think it's safe to say a strong foundation in the basics is critically essential. Of course, a broad background in neuroscience coursework is necessary. However, quantitative skills should be near the top of anyone's list, but what that means has been changing. Traditionally it's been essential to have graduates who are comfortable with understanding, using, and interpreting statistical information.
But more recently, exposure to coursework in data science, data analytics, computer programming has become special skills. Critical in this endeavor is developing healthy skepticism regarding all data, what it means, and what it doesn't mean. Sometimes individuals talk about this as critical thinking or scientific literacy, which are essential for all graduates to be better-informed citizens.
It is also vital that individuals work to become good communicators (broadly defined). Although it is rarely discussed and focused upon in mass media portrayals of scientists, writing is essential as each scientist's career depends upon their ability to communicate research results, convince employers that your work is necessary, and persuade government and funding agencies that they should sponsor your research activities.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Senior Copywriters, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Paul Mitchell Ph.D.: The misconception is that there is no money in the communications fields. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our journalism majors are employed (in the last several years) at a higher rate than most of the other majors. My guess is starting salaries will continue to be on the rise.
What type of skills will young Senior Copywriters need?
Dr. Christina Fisanick: College graduates in 2021 and beyond, need all of the skills that English programs have to offer: critical thinking, effective communication, creativity, and flexibility. New hires need to be able to adapt to workplace changes quickly and with aplomb, which requires critical thinking and problem solving and the ability to communicate those solutions to a diverse audience clearly and effectively. Those skills are refined and practiced regularly in English programs.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Copywriter?
Thomas Reynolds: I think there will be a lasting impact of this pandemic on graduates. The nature of the field is that others in the industry (scientists, engineers, for ex.) often take on tech writing and communication tasks in tight economic conditions, or even just as a matter of a particular culture in a particular business. However, the field of technical communication has been predicted to have a strong future (see Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predicts growth in jobs in this field).
Technical writing and communication require that students are comfortable with technology and communication and that they adapt to changing situations. I think there are also opportunities for savvy graduates who can offer certain skills and experiences that are unique to the changing situation. This field has a long history of resilience for its graduates seeking jobs in tough circumstances.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Copywriters?
Thomas Reynolds: Technology is constantly changing, and the pandemic has put a wrinkle on innovations that will have an impact on the field of TWC. Yet technical writing and communication have always involved changing technologies -- it is one of the hallmarks of the field. In addition, remote work is common in technical communication, and many scholars have written about the phenomenon, including global virtual teams and distributed workplaces. In any case, technical writers and communicators learn to think about the intersection of technology with the audience.
I think that traditional notions of communicationm such as establishing a friendly, businesslike ethos and considering the very real material circumstances of audiences, will remain uppermost as graduates adapt to the technological changes. Part of this work will also involve recognizing and working to improve social injustices that employers are increasingly in need of addressing. New technologies that emerge will also be part of the landscape for graduates, and they will be eager to learn these new tools.
Sarah Bell
Senior Associate Director, CounselingBucknell University
Center for Career Advancement
How do you envision technology impacting Senior Copywriters in the next 5 years?
Sarah Bell: As mentioned in #2, English majors go into many fields, and technology is affecting most of them now. We will likely always need creators, editors, and researchers of content, which will certainly make English majors useful in a variety of fields, due to (or in spite of) the technology advances. Experience in learning and utilizing a variety of software, platforms, and social media tools will only enhance their ability to complete their work in an effective and efficient manner in a variety of work settings.
Cristina Calhoon
Senior Career Instructor, Undergraduate AdvisorUniversity of Oregon
Department of Classics
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Senior Copywriters to find work opportunities?
Cristina Calhoon: The skills that Classics graduates learn (good communication skills; careful, clear, and well-organized oral and written presentation; research, comparison, and analysis of ancient sources; linguistic proficiency in more than one language) make them flexible and adaptable. Graduate school is the goal of many of our graduates, who complete law and medical degrees in prestigious programs throughout the nation.
Some also do very well in business school, where the breadth of their academic background, the adaptability of their skills, and their analytical and communication proficiency make them highly competitive with respect to graduates from strictly pre-professional programs.
In addition to occupations in all levels of education, academic research, and archeology, some Classics graduates have also established careers in management, public relations, fundraising, administration, as well as a library, archival, and museum work, while some have also created opportunities for themselves in computer occupations, arts, and media.
Catherine Nesci
Professor of French & Comparative Literature; Affiliate in Feminist StudiesUniversity of California
Department of French and Italian
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Copywriters?
Catherine Nesci: I expect that the lack of resources (no interlibrary loans, no travel to conferences, no meeting with peers, fewer job opportunities) will have an enduring impact on graduate students.