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Job outlook for writer/producers in the United States
Writer/producer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected writer/producer job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 5,900 new jobs for writer/producers are projected over the next decade.
Writer/producer salaries have increased 10% for writer/producers in the last 5 years.
There are over 14,050 writer/producers currently employed in the United States.
There are 20,026 active writer/producer job openings in the US.
The average writer/producer salary is $55,163.
Are writer/producer jobs in demand?
Writer/producer job and salary trends over time
Writer/producer jobs over time
Writer/producer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,050 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 12,299 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 13,098 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 12,342 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 12,278 | 0.00% |
Average writer/producer salary over time
Writer/producer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $55,163 | $26.52 | +6.2% |
| 2024 | $51,942 | $24.97 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $51,095 | $24.57 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | $50,808 | $24.43 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $50,331 | $24.20 | +1.6% |
Writer/producer jobs by state
Most common states for writer/producers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 217 | 31% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 41 | 7% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 390 | 5% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 327 | 5% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 325 | 5% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 193 | 5% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 148 | 5% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 28 | 5% |
| 9 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,407 | 4% |
| 10 | New York | 19,849,399 | 727 | 4% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 268 | 4% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 213 | 4% |
| 13 | Delaware | 961,939 | 35 | 4% |
| 14 | Alaska | 739,795 | 29 | 4% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 290 | 3% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 165 | 3% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 122 | 3% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 66 | 3% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 28 | 3% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 25 | 3% |
Most common cities for writer/producers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnstable Town | 2 | 5% | $53,426 |
| 2 | Dedham | 1 | 4% | $52,076 |
| 3 | Lafayette | 1 | 4% | $64,452 |
| 4 | Los Altos | 1 | 3% | $64,302 |
| 5 | Burbank | 2 | 2% | $56,956 |
| 6 | Laguna Niguel | 1 | 2% | $56,035 |
| 7 | Atlanta | 5 | 1% | $50,334 |
| 8 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $51,625 |
| 9 | Fort Collins | 1 | 1% | $44,379 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $56,814 |
| 11 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $54,147 |
| 12 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $51,724 |
| 13 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $45,647 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $53,557 |
Writer/Producer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of writer/producer 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
Saint Anselm College
California State University - Fullerton
American University
Metropolitan State University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Kean University
Olympic College
Georgia State University
University of Toledo
Susquehanna University
Webster University
What Writer/Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Laura Wilson: Be ready to explain how a degree in English translates to the working world. Be passionate and knowledgeable about why a company would need a writer/humanitarian. Develop an elevator pitch that explains soft skills and hard skills in relation to work they'd do in any field.
What will help Writer/Producers increase their earning potential?
Laura Wilson: Encourage majors to explore certificates that will make them more marketable. Combine soft skills with hard skills. Knowing all the tech platforms will likely earn more money out of the gate.
What general advice would you give to a Writer/Producer?
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 Writer/Producer 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 Writer/Producer?
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 Writer/Producer 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 Writer/Producer?
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 Writer/Producer 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 general advice would you give to a Writer/Producer?
Dr. Allison Rittmayer: The rise of AI is something graduates looking for jobs in writing need to take seriously. I think we will see more collaborative use of AI in writing jobs in the next several years as employers seek to make the most out of the technology while recognizing its limitations and ethical quagmires.
What Writer/Producer 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 will help Writer/Producers increase their earning potential?
Dean Rader: There is an interesting study I saw recently that shows how humanities majors tend to start out with a lower beginning salary than most other fields. However, in five years, their salaries and their job satisfaction are higher than those from many other disciplines. English majors who can do another thing, who minor in marketing or who can do coding or Web design often have an easier time landing that first job. But, I also often recommend a graduate degree. That may sound counterintuitive given the reports out there about how college and graduate school admissions are plummeting; however, if fewer people are going to graduate school--especially in the humanities--there could very well be a deficit of people in the workforce with advanced training. If you can get an MBA or a JD or a master's without going into too much debt, research shows it pays off down the road.
What general advice would you give to a Writer/Producer?
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 Writer/Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Pennell: Adaptability and flexibility. The type of writing, the genres of writing, the styles of writing, and the technologies around writing may/will change, so be adaptable. Learn how to learn, especially on the fly. Your college instructors can't teach you every type or genre of writing you may encounter in your career; so, develop skills in learning new genres of writing. Ask yourself, what worked in the past that will work as I learn this new type/style of writing. Adapting to different audiences and formats is key. The ability to research and in turn translate that research to your audience, even if it involves SEO and writing for the web with a less concrete audience or for search engines. In this sense, the skill of creating transferrable content is key. Also, storytelling is very important in many writing-based careers—how to tell a story. Another skill is differentiating what you can offer that AI can't or where does AI complement your work and writing? Avoiding or ignoring AI is not wise.
Dr. Joshua Potter
Assistant Professor of PracticeSaint Anselm College
English Language And Literature
What will help Writer/Producers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Joshua Potter: Follow your passion, use your intuition, and be creative. A humanistic education, especially within the discipline of English, prepares you to be a clear communicator, critical thinker, empathic builder of relationships, and creative wayfinder through shifting cultural landscapes. It is imperative to stay nimble, assert oneself into social institutions and fields of work that stoke one’s inspiration, and be prepared to help build fields and institutions that don’t yet exist.
What Writer/Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Irena Praitis: English majors are excellent communicators, collaborators, and critical thinkers. Communication skills are highly sought as are skills for people working together. Graduates should emphasize their communication and critical thinking skills, emphasizing also creative thinking and working with and understanding others.
What will help Writer/Producers increase their earning potential?
Chelsea Horne Ph.D.: It is important to remember that even if this moment feels daunting and uncertain, you are at a very exciting stage of your life and career. Think about all your options and possibilities and focus on where and how you want to contribute to the world through your writing and profession. As you step into your career, consider building your network: at your workplace, with alumni groups, and with industry professionals. A strong network can offer opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, development, and more.
Dr. Belo Cipriani
Metropolitan State University
Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
What will help Writer/Producers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Belo Cipriani: Students who take my courses graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. Many of them dream of working for large media companies and publications. I encourage them to in addition to applying to jobs with the big players, to also look at jobs with smaller organizations, as this will help them cast a wider net. I explain to them that by being open to working at a smaller business they will be shortening their job search. Moreover, I relate that many writers at major brands got their start with a lesser known company, but eventually found themselves with their dream employer.
What general advice would you give to a Writer/Producer?
Anna Mae Duane: The idea that English majors are not in demand is a myth—don’t harm your own chances by buying into it! There are numerous studies—and countless employer testimonies—that indicate how valuable your skills as an English major are. English majors consistently find work in a variety of fields, and perhaps even more important, alumni of English departments report that they find their jobs and lives rewarding. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 'what sets two equally qualified job candidates apart can be as simple as who has the better communication skills.' You are, in many ways, ahead of the game in comparison to others in your cohort. I’d also urge English majors to think broadly about their career options. Yes, fields like journalism, publishing and advertising all rely on the skills developed in English departments. But other employers, particularly in tech companies, have realized how valuable English majors can be to their organization. As a recent report in Fortune indicates, top executives in AI at IBM and elsewhere realize that having expertise in the Humanities is an essential component for success in their field.
What will help Writer/Producers increase their earning potential?
Anna Mae Duane: In this respect, I think the advice remains the same no matter what your major. Make sure you have a sense of what a competitive rate is, and negotiate for what you’re worth up front. I’d also recommend that you make sure that your employers know that you are eager to advance, and then take the initiative to show up as a leader whenever possible.
What general advice would you give to a Writer/Producer?
Sarah Graves Ph.D.: Many wrongly assume that a degree in English is a dead end. But that's only because the career potential isn't as immediately obvious as something like, say, a degree in computer science or accounting. The truth is that English majors can do almost anything. Of course, they can become teachers or enter writing-related fields, such as journalism, editing, or publishing. But tons of CEOs are English majors, as are those in business-related fields, such as marketing, brand strategy, and social media management. Even most tech companies hire English majors. That's because computer science majors might be experts in coding, but English majors excel at humanizing the end product, like making chatbots sound more human. In fact, the areas where English majors excel are those most in-demand by employers: communication, creativity, critical thinking, and empathy.
What Writer/Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sarah Graves Ph.D.: Seek out the resources of your college's career services to help figure out the right path for you. Additionally, employers value hands-on experiences. So, while still in college, seek out experiences like internships, study abroad, and independent research projects. Internships and alumni events are also invaluable for networking. Ask other English majors what they did with their degrees and explore all possible options.
What Writer/Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Frank Argote-Freyre: It is important to take part in a variety of internships prior to entering the workplace. You need to invest in yourself. Many of these internships might provide no pay or low pay but they are essential to gaining experience. This will allow a candidate to begin their career search with experience in the field. This makes them a more valuable asset to an employer. Language acquisition is also important. US society is diverse so the ability to reach more diverse language communities is a big plus.
Amy Hesketh
Full Time FacultyOlympic College
Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH) Division
What soft skills should all Writer/Producers possess?
Amy Hesketh: -Collaboration.
-Teamwork.
-Project management.
-Crew management.
-Professionalism.
What skills stand out on Writer/Producer resumes?
Amy Hesketh: Ability to work with a variety of editing software (Avid, Adobe Premiere Pro/Audition, Resolve). Screenwriting and story development.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Writer/Producers?
Amy Hesketh: -Film production.
-Videography.
-Video editing.
-Video streaming.
-Budgeting.
-Scheduling.
What skills will help Writer/Producers earn the most?
Jill Frank: This is probably too abstract a question for the field of art, but I will try my best: the better you are at taking photographs and marketing yourself & the better you are at moving seamlessly across different media and speaking to the relevant issues, the greater your success will be.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Writer/Producer job market given the pandemic?
Deborah Orloff: Working remotely and meeting via Zoom (and similar video conferencing platforms) is obviously a huge trend, and I expect it to continue.
What skills stand out on Writer/Producer resumes?
Deborah Orloff: Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing situations and new technology has become more important than ever! Creativity and entrepreneurship are also very important!
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Writer/Producers to find work opportunities?
Deborah Orloff: Large cities (like New York) have always offered the most opportunities, and I expect that to continue. However, with companies downsizing and consumer demand being lower due to the pandemic, entrepreneurs can do well anywhere!
Craig Stark Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communications, Department Head of CommunicationsSusquehanna University
Communications Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Writer/Producer job market given the pandemic?
Craig Stark Ph.D.: Probably more remote work opportunities. I would expect many employers will find it more cost-effective to have employees work from home or remote sites, which means employees have to have a good working knowledge of time management and technical skills.
What Writer/Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Craig Stark Ph.D.: If a graduate needs to take a gap year from work, the best thing I think they could do is stay involved with the industry. Subscribe to email and text updates from trade magazines, follow regulatory agencies like the FCC and FTC online, and stay in touch. Maintain contact with anyone that you've networked with and attend any virtual job fairs or conferences that you can. Use the time to practice and hone any technical or professional skills that you're interested in. The most important thing is to stay up-to-date and involved as much as you can, so that when the gap year is over it will be easier to get back into the swing.
What general advice would you give to a Writer/Producer?
Craig Stark Ph.D.: Be flexible and willing to change goals and perspectives. The industry is constantly changing and evolving but fortunately you can do anything with a communications degree. Use that flexibility to your advantage and do the best you can to prepare for any industrial, professional, and personal changes in your life.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Writer/Producer job market given the pandemic?
Lara Teeter: The most obvious trend is that "Virtual Theatre" is not going to be going away. In addition to television, film, Broadway & Regional theatre, cruise line and theme park work...our students and professionals alike have had to hone special skills in both the performance and technical aspects of virtual theatre. The other given is that the digital audition room (video submissions and even callbacks for projects) will continue to be used by producers, directors, casting directors, and agents. This is a real money saver when you consider the cost of flying someone in (director, casting director, talent), put them up at a hotel, and then rent the space to hold the audition. I do NOT feel that the "in-room" audition will go away, but the virtual audition room is something that is here to stay!
What skills stand out on Writer/Producer resumes?
Lara Teeter: People. The casting agents, talent agencies, management companies, directors, and choreographers ALL want to know a) who you've studied with, b) who you've worked with, c) what agent represents you and, d) what casting directors keep submitting you. Broadway? Always. But if you have been part of a staged reading or if you have done a small role in a play or a musical that is being mounted in a regional house and the director or choreographer is someone who has a reputation for doing great work...that counts a lot.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Writer/Producers to find work opportunities?
Lara Teeter: Throw a rock over your shoulder and hit 20 in one throw! Literally, everywhere you turn, if you are hungry and smart, there is a place to find work. I like to use "Everything was Possible - the birth of the musical FOLLIES" by Ted Chapin as an example. He was in a position to fetch coffee for Hal Prince and Stephen Sondheim, and Michael Bennett. After so many years, he was chosen by the Rodgers and Hammerstein families to run their business. He's also the co-founder of ENCORES. There are many "good places" to find work. There are also some "not so good" places to work. A young actor's journey must encounter both so that as they mature in the business, they can, hopefully, begin to choose what places/directors/organizations that they prefer to work with as well as those they don't. Until that day, however, a job is a job. The MUNY, The Glimmerglass Opera, Goodspeed, Pittsburg Civic Light Opera, Wichita Summer Musicals, Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City (these last two is where I got my start in the 1970s!), Barrington Stage, American Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Alabama Shakespeare, Seattle Reparatory Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars in Houston, TX, Broadway Sacramento (formally California Musical Theatre)....the list goes on and on!