Writers and Authors in Virginia
Considering working as a Writers and Authors in Virginia? Here’s what you need to know. Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material. Excludes “News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists” (27-3023), “Public Relations Specialists” (27-3031), and “Technical Writers” (27-3042).
What do Writers and Authors Make in Virginia?
For writers and authors working in Virginia, the typical annual salary is $80,990 per year (or about $38.94/hour).Pay can range from $48,000 at the 10th percentile to $133,930 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 25th percentile | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Median (50th) | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| 75th percentile | $103,800 | $49.90 |
| 90th percentile | $133,930 | $64.39 |
The job concentration index in Virginia compared to the national average — is 1.30, suggesting that writers and authors are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, writers and authors earn a median of $63,195 per year ($30.38/hour), higher than the Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 162,703 writers and authors across the United States. In Virginia alone, around 1,630 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 580 writers and authors.
Top Virginia Metros for Writers and Authors
These are the Virginia metros with the most writers and authors in Virginia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 210 | $67,580 |
| Richmond, VA | 190 | $69,760 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 50 | $83,090 |
Top States for Writers and Authors Employment
The table below shows the states where the most writers and authors work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 8,950 |
| New York | 5,980 |
| Florida | 2,440 |
| North Carolina | 2,170 |
| Texas | 2,100 |
| Illinois | 2,010 |
| Virginia | 1,630 |
| New Jersey | 1,610 |
| Colorado | 1,540 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,360 |
| Massachusetts | 1,260 |
| District of Columbia | 1,240 |
| Tennessee | 1,220 |
| Georgia | 1,200 |
| Minnesota | 980 |
| Ohio | 960 |
| Washington | 900 |
| Michigan | 860 |
| Oregon | 850 |
| Connecticut | 640 |
Highest-Paying States for Writers and Authors
The highest-paying states for writers and authors.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $121,160 |
| Maryland | $107,540 |
| Washington | $86,170 |
| Vermont | $86,040 |
| Virginia | $80,990 |
| Connecticut | $80,950 |
| California | $80,470 |
| Massachusetts | $78,440 |
| Oregon | $77,830 |
| New Jersey | $75,640 |
Skills
Top writers and authors skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for writers and authors, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, writers and authors typically:
- Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
- Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
- Present drafts and ideas to clients.
- Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
- Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.
- Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
- Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product's selling features should be promoted.
- Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.
- Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.
- Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
- Consult with sales, media and marketing representatives to obtain information on product or service and discuss style and length of advertising written material.
- Edit or rewrite existing written material as necessary, and submit written material for approval by supervisor, editor, or publisher.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Selling or Influencing Others
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Thinking Creatively
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Developing Objectives and Strategies
- Developing and Building Teams
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator In-demand technologies: Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Photoshop
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Communication & Media Studies
- Journalism
- Other Communication & Journalism
- Writing Studies
- Literature
- Drama & Theater Arts
- Corporate Communications
- Human Sciences Business Services
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to writers and authors include:
- Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Search Marketing Strategists
- Web and Digital Interface Designers
- Art Directors
- Special Effects Artists and Animators
Also Known As
Advertisement Agency Copywriter (Ad Agency Copywriter), Advertisement Copywriter (Ad Copywriter), Advertisement Writer (Ad Writer), Advertising Associate, Advertising Copywriter, Advertising Specialist, Advertising Writer, Article Writer, Author, Biographer, Blurb Writer, Business Writer, Communications Specialist, Content Creator, Content Developer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 27-3043.00
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