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Job outlook for speech writers in the United States
Are speech writer jobs in demand?
Speech writer job and salary trends over time
Speech writer jobs over time
Speech writer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 228 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 230 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 230 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 225 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 220 | 0.00% |
Average speech writer salary over time
Speech writer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $61,897 | $29.76 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $60,261 | $28.97 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $59,128 | $28.43 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $58,438 | $28.10 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $57,177 | $27.49 | +2.2% |
Speech writer jobs by state
Most common states for speech writers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 221 | 32% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 283 | 21% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 133 | 21% |
| 4 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 249 | 14% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 913 | 13% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 910 | 11% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 647 | 11% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 108 | 11% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 370 | 9% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 52 | 9% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 606 | 8% |
| 12 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 277 | 8% |
| 13 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 250 | 8% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 149 | 8% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 86 | 8% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 62 | 8% |
| 17 | California | 39,536,653 | 2,801 | 7% |
| 18 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,298 | 7% |
| 19 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 882 | 7% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 151 | 7% |
Speech Writer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of speech writer experts
Manhattan College
Adrian College
Austin Community College
University of Illinois-Chicago
University of Arizona
Southern Oregon University
Indiana University Northwest
University of South Florida
California University of Pennsylvania
DePaul University
Cal Poly
Bucknell University
Bucknell University
Azusa Pacific University
Independence Community College
Misericordia University
Dr. Heidi Laudien Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorManhattan College
English Language And Literature
What general advice would you give to a Speech Writer?
Dr. Heidi Laudien Ph.D.: I do not feel equipped to give informed advice on how to maximize one's salary potential.
What Speech Writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Heidi Laudien Ph.D.: I think it is important for graduates to be flexible and welcome challenges. It is critical for students to be confident in their academic foundation. An English related field will undoubtedly require strong critical thinking and writing skills. To that end, it is important to read and practice one's craft daily.
What will help Speech Writers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Christy Mesaros-Winckles Ph.D.: In the next few years, it will be imperative for writers to excel not only in generating original ideas but also in their prowess as editors. With the increasing integration of language-model AI tools in various workplaces, what distinguishes an outstanding writer from a mediocre one is their ability to leverage AI as an editing aid. Graduates wanting to enter writing-intensive careers will need to also effectively craft an elevator pitch to prospective explaining how their contributions as a writer provide distinctive, creative value that surpasses what AI can independently produce.
Dr. Claudia R. Fernández
Clinical Assistant Professor of Spanish Director, Spanish Basic Language ProgramUniversity of Illinois-Chicago
Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies
What general advice would you give to a Speech Writer?
Dr. Claudia R. Fernández: You should continue using your Spanish language either by reading, interacting anytime you can, watching movies, listening to music, etc., mostly if Spanish is not your native language or you did not go to a school where Spanish was the main language for teaching and learning. It would be ideal if you could spend some time in a Spanish-speaking country to enrich your cultural and linguistic knowledge.
If your major is Spanish or any other language, linguistics or literature, and you want to continue in the field and get a relatively good job in education or in the private industry, most likely, you will need to study a Master's or a Ph.D. A Master's will open more doors in education (higher education, for example), and a Ph.D. will help you become a researcher and will provide you greater knowledge to investigate and, hopefully, solve questions in the field.
What are the best companies to work for a Speech Writer?
Paul Hurh: For English majors, the best companies to work for will be the companies that reflect and advance the individual values of the job seeker. One of the most powerful things about a degree in English is how adaptable it is-every industry needs good writers, independent thinkers, and analysts, and those are all skills that English majors are uniquely trained in. Companies that value innovation and adaptation are particularly good career choices for English majors, as they will value employees who are able to identify the root causes of particular challenges. English majors, due to their training in textual analysis and their big-picture understanding of historical trends, do not only ask what to do but why they are doing it. Those are the employees who will be able to find new and original ways to solve persistent problems in whatever industry that they choose to work in.
K. Silem Mohammad Ph.D.
Professor of Creative WritingSouthern Oregon University
Core Faculty
What experience really stands out on Speech Writer resumes?
K. Silem Mohammad Ph.D.: Relevant experience in one's field is crucial, but acute verbal skills are becoming increasingly rarer and more sought after. If you can express yourself clearly and demonstrate a solid grasp of compositional style, you have a big leg up. I can't overemphasize the value of sounding like an adult.
Brian O'Camb Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair in EnglishIndiana University Northwest
English Department
What experience really stands out on Speech Writer resumes?
Brian O'Camb Ph.D.: Honestly, I am not qualified to respond to that question because I don't hire recent graduates, so I don't see resumes from them. However, as a professor, I recommend that all my students get as much writing experience as possible, ideally through an internship, so they can lean on that experience in their job materials.
What type of skills will young Speech Writers need?
Dr. Wilma Davidson: According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), there are 20 skills listed to increase their value in the workplace. Yearly, NACE surveys employers and ranks these skills and, according to their latest survey, the top five skills new graduates should possess are the following:
Problem-solving
Ability to work on a team
Strong work ethic
Analytic/quantitative skill
Written communication skills
For several decades, the ability to write well has appeared near the top of NACE's list of skills valued by employees. And, I suspect, it will remain among the top for decades to come. Writing, so your ideas and plans are understandable and actionable, is the secret sauce of your workplace success. No matter how good your idea is, if you cannot communicate it easily to another, you won't receive the attention and accolades you deserve.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Speech Writers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Wilma Davidson: All businesses need good writers. You can work remotely as a freelancer or an employee without concern about where your employer is located. Technology makes it easy for an excellent writer to write productively from anywhere. Naturally, if you wish to enter a field like PR or Advertising or Editing/Publishing, you might want to live in a large city where major firms are located. However, right that advice might have been a decade ago, it no longer applies. If you'd like to be a technical writer, there is an advantage to being close to the engineers you may be working with as you write their manuals, but that can be handled-and already is-being handled remotely.
What type of skills will young Speech Writers 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 type of skills will young Speech Writers need?
Ted Anton: They will need to know how to understand and communicate complex information, often contradictory, in a catchy and understandable way. They will have to read professional data online, in business, medicine, health, you name it and then create a sales or summary pitch for investors. So, reading, writing, communication skills will continue to be important. Math, of course, is a big plus, but up to the advanced algebra level... Statistical skills will be helpful. Overall, employers are seeking curious, adventurous, bold, and creative thinkers and communicators for an ever-changing world.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Speech Writers?
Eileen Buecher: I believe there will be an impact on all of us. Work will look differently as I see some of the creative initiatives higher education and industries have taken to keep people safe and support the economy flowing may be integrated into how we provide services and do our jobs long-term. COVID teaches new graduates how to be resourceful, resilient, and flexible for both individual and uncertain times.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Speech Writers to find work opportunities?
Eileen Buecher: The majority of our students live and work in California. In addition to CA, the top ten states recruiting Cal Poly English majors by the above-mentioned job functions include: New York, Washington DC, Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Washington, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio
Sarah Bell
Senior Associate Director, CounselingBucknell University
Center for Career Advancement
How do you envision technology impacting Speech Writers 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.
Sarah Bell
Senior Associate Director, CounselingBucknell University
Center for Career Advancement
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Speech Writers to find work opportunities?
Sarah Bell: Majors in English successfully pursue work in all types of industries and career fields. Their skills in writing, critical thinking, verbal communication, analysis, working in groups, editing, and reading/research makes them quite marketable in a variety of occupations. There are some locations that are more known for certain industries, i.e., upper West Coast for technology, NYC metro area for finance, I-95 corridor for pharmaceuticals and biotech, but many corporations hire in locations all over the country. And with the pandemic, more employers have remote opportunities that don't require a move, at least not until the time we might move out of remote work when possible. We tell our students to talk to professionals in the industries in which they are interested to learn what areas are growing right now and what are not. For example, video and sharing software is growing, food manufacturing, shipping, and sales are growing, certain sectors of healthcare and medical research are growing, etc.
What general advice would you give to a Speech Writer?
Emily Griesinger Ph.D.: I would say "don't give up" because your literacy gifts are especially needed right now. Those who have done excellent critical thinking and writing as English majors can make persuasive arguments and discern the credibility of arguments being consumed by others, who may not be so discerning. Based on years of reading and interpreting great literature, you can "read" characters, why people do what they do, and the capacity to imagine the joys and sorrows of other human beings. So, my general advice would be to consider how to market such skills in creative ways for the common good.
Bridget Carson
Associate Professor of Developmental EnglishIndependence Community College
History
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Speech Writers?
Bridget Carson: Yes. I think many of the economic markers are false idols that don't indicate the value of life, just when you bought a dishwasher. They may buy one later, but that isn't an indication of success. An enduring impact on this set of graduates, I think, will be in their planning and reaction to disappointment. I hope they embrace uncertainty. I hope they become people who prepare several variations of plans that can achieve the same outcomes by different means. I hope they are people who can mourn unfulfilled expectations and learn to release them like fall leaves, shed to be renewed.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Speech Writers?
Dr. Scott Blanchard Ph.D.: I think the Black Lives Matter movement will have a more enduring impact on students than COVID. It's shaping up to be 1968 all over again.