8 Exciting Jobs for Creative Writing Majors

When you think of a creative writing student, you might picture a “starving artist” dressed in black, sipping espressos and working tirelessly on their manuscript from some dark cafe.

But creative writing majors also go on to work in brightly lit corporate offices, where they write exciting copy for the marketing department. They can work for newspapers, libraries, NGOs, government entities—any place where words matter (which is virtually everywhere!).

If you’re considering a degree in creative writing, you should take some time to get acquainted with some of the most common career paths for graduates. Some of them may surprise you!

What Kind of Jobs Can You Get with a Creative Writing Degree?

Below are 8 potential job titles for creative writing majors. Note that these are just some of the more common routes—you’re certainly not limited to just these 8 titles!

1. Author

Okay, let’s start with the most obvious. Of course, if you major in creative writing, we’ll go ahead and assume that you actually enjoy writing. The good news is that you don’t have to rely on sheer luck or get picked up by one of the Big Five publishers in order to become an author.

If becoming a full-time writer is your dream, you actually have lots of available options, including ghostwriting for others or self-publishing your books.

Granted, being an author isn’t exactly the most stable career path. You can’t really know when or where your next big success will come from. But if you’re okay with that element of unpredictability, and have a few backups in place, you shouldn’t let anything stop you from pursuing your goals.

For a roadmap to success, check out our complete guide to becoming an author.

Median U.S. Annual Salary: $63,200

2. Editor

Another rewarding trade for creative writing majors is editing. While creative writers may be particularly drawn to helping authors refine their manuscripts, there are lots of things to edit besides books, and you’re not limited to just the publishing industries.

Pretty much everywhere language matters—including marketing, business, law, government, nonprofits, print and online publications, and technology—there’s a need for editors, including developmental editors, copy editors, and proofreaders.

Learn more about how you can become an editor.

Median U.S. Annual Salary: $61,370

3. Journalist

Journalists can write for print publications, like a traditional newspaper or magazine, or report on breaking news and events, like presidential press conferences before talking to a camera about their findings. Many journalists also work freelance and write articles online for a variety of platforms.

Their job is to tell a story and present the facts, so that audiences can form their own opinions and make their own decisions. To make audiences care, those creative writing skills are essential.

Learn more about how you can become a journalist.

Median U.S. Annual Salary: $46,270

4. Columnist

Columnists need to be savvy in particular subjects (such as politics, fashion, film, books, food, or travel).

Your column will run on a website or in a print publication on a recurring basis (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.), so you’ll need fresh ideas for content related to your area of expertise.

And while Carrie Bradshaw couldn’t realistically afford her apartment and her weekly brunches writing just one column per week in Sex and the City, you can write for several publications at once, or land a column in a prominent publication and make a steady income.

If you’re looking to write a column, start with a blog about your area of expertise so you can build a portfolio to share with publications you admire.

Median U.S. Annual Salary: $46,270

5. Copywriter

Selling takes creativity, and copywriting is the art of selling with words. All advertisements, including billboards, landing pages, and Amazon product descriptions are the work of copywriters.

Digital marketing is a booming business, and virtually every company is on the lookout for talented writers who can create unique, attention-grabbing campaigns that generate sales. If you’re a writer who’s passionate about sales and marketing, this is definitely a career path worth considering.

Median U.S. Annual Salary: $54,463

6. Librarian

While creative writing is not a direct funnel into this profession (you’ll need a master’s degree in library science), an undergraduate degree is a great lead-in to such a program.

As a creative writer, you probably won’t mind being surrounded by books all day, and you’ll be great at pointing readers toward books they’ll love.

Median U.S. Annual Salary: $59,500

7. Screenwriter

Do you have dreams of seeing your words play out on the big (or small) screen? Your favorite movies and TV shows exist thanks to screenwriters. Why not put your creative writing skills to work by writing a screenplay?

For more opportunities, check out this list of screenwriting contests you can enter for a chance to win cash prizes, meetings with film executives, and more.

Median U.S. Annual Salary: $63,200

8. Communications Coordinator

Communications coordinators or directors can find work in a wide range of industries, including finance, public relations, marketing, NGOs, health care, travel, education, government, and so much more.

Typical duties might include writing press releases and memos, drafting corporate messages, or overseeing social media and marketing campaigns.

Median U.S. Annual Salary: $45,389

Is Creative Writing a Good Career?

Most writers don’t do what they do for the money; that’s hardly a secret. There’s a reason the stereotype of the “starving artist” exists, so I won’t lead you to believe that a creative writing degree will put you on a fast-track to wealth and financial independence.

However, if the list above has shown you anything, I hope it’s that a creative writing degree can lead you down a variety of pathways that offer stable, fulfilling careers. You can pursue your dream of being a novelist, but rest easy knowing that that’s not your only option.

That being said, while perhaps not the most lucrative, a career that draws on creative writing can be extremely rewarding as long as you’re genuinely passionate about creating.

How Much Do Creative Writing Majors Make?

According to PayScale, the average salary for someone with a B.A. in Creative Writing is $55,907 in the United States.

However, it’s important to note that this number can fluctuate greatly depending on the type of work the degree holder pursues. (As you can see from the list above, career options are diverse in nature, and many of those professions operate on a freelance basis, which makes it even harder to nail down a reliable average.

Jobs for Creative Writing Majors

Contrary to popular belief, a creative writing degree doesn’t limit you to writing novels for a living (though that’s certainly an exciting possibility!).

Majoring in English or creative writing can open the door to life-changing possibilities across a wide range of industries. To learn more about this field, check out the best colleges for creative writing.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

 

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

• 15 Great Jobs for English Majors: How to Turn Your “Useless” Degree Into a Successful Career
• How to Become a Journalist: 6 Tips for Aspiring Reporters
• What Is Creative Writing? Types, Techniques, and Tips
• Authors: Is an MFA Right for You?

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