Writing is one of the most valuable skills a professional can have. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 73% of employers look for good writing skills in employees they seek to hire.
If you are someone who is skilled in writing, pursuing a master’s degree in writing can open up a variety of benefits and opportunities for your career.
Let’s dive into 10 career paths you can pursue with a master’s in writing.
All salary, education requirements, and projected job growth information is provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics unless otherwise specified.
1. Editor
Average Annual Salary: $63,350
Education Requirements: bachelor's or master’s degree in writing, communication, journalism, or English.
Editors are in charge of coordinating, planning, assigning, and reviewing content for publishing.
According to Muse, editors’ responsibilities can range from revising text to managing budgets and rates for freelance writers. Editors are involved in the planning of what content to publish, so they must be in tune with what is happening in their field and regularly keep track of how previous content is performing. Individuals in this position are typically very organized and able to handle a multi-faceted work schedule defined by tight deadlines.
2. Technical Writer
Average Annual Salary: $78,060
Education Requirements: bachelor’s or master’s degree in writing as well as specialized knowledge of relevant fields.
Projected Job Growth: 6% from 2021 to 2031
A technical writer is in charge of writing materials for company documents such as instruction manuals, operation guidelines, product descriptions, or reference guides, according to Technical Writer HQ. They may also write handbooks and journal articles, among other highly specialized content.
Technical writers typically have to have some type of expertise in the subject area of their writing. For example, legal and medical writers may be individuals with an additional degree in law or medicine or who have a vast amount of experience in their field. Other industries that involve technical writers are IT, technology, engineering, finance, and other fields.
Technical writers are tasked with turning very complex information into something most people would be able to comprehend.
3. Copywriter
Average Annual Salary: $53,808 (PayScale)
Education Requirements: bachelor’s or master’s in advertising, communication, marketing, sales, or writing.
Projected Job Growth: 9% from 2020 to 2030
Copywriters are tasked with writing copy for advertisements. They write copy for social media advertisement placements or for podcast, radio, and television ads. They also provide writing support to marketing campaigns and branding efforts.
Copywriters are often employed by advertising or marketing agencies, but could be hired for marketing departments at any organization or company.
4. Journalist
Average Annual Salary: $48,370
Education Requirements: bachelor's or master’s in journalism, communication, or writing; or some work experience at a newspaper, television, or radio station.
Journalists are individuals who gather, analyze, and report on the news and current events. They typically work for newspapers, digital publications, radio stations, or television news stations.
Depending on the type of journalism one ends up doing, the type of writing may differ, but all journalism positions require writing in some form — whether it’s writing news articles and investigative reports or TV and radio scripts.
5. Proposal Writer
Average Annual Salary: $64,257 (PayScale)
Education Requirements: bachelor’s or master’s in writing, communication, or English. It may also be helpful to complete a proposal writing certificate program.
Projected Job Growth: 9% from 2021 to 2031
Proposal writers create business proposals for a company or organization. The job involves doing research as well as analyzing data and financial information. The goal is to help companies gain new clients or business deals through these proposals.
6. Grant Writer
Average Annual Salary: $57,591
Education Requirements: bachelor’s or master’s in writing, communication, or English.
Grant writers are tasked with helping organizations obtain grants through targeted proposals, according to Indeed.com. They need to have a good understanding of the organization they are representing, including its financial needs. They have to have good research skills in order to find grant opportunities. In addition to writing the grant proposals, they must maintain a good relationship with all the stakeholders involved, including fund providers.
7. Content Writer
Average Annual Salary: $69,510
Education Requirements: bachelor’s or master’s degree in English, writing, communications, or journalism.
Projected Job Growth: 4% from 2021 to 2031
Content writers write informative articles (and other content) about subjects associated with a specific product, service, business, or organization. The goal is to write content that will help promote those products or services. These can be in the form of blog posts, press releases, pamphlets, or website landing pages.
Content writers need to be able to do research on a subject and write compelling pieces that will be interesting and engaging to read and will attract new audiences and generate engagement. Some knowledge of marketing tactics may be necessary.
_______
Who are you called to be?
Pursue your purpose at PLNU.
_______
8. Screenwriter
Average Annual Salary: $67,120
Education Requirements: there are no education requirements for this position, but a master’s in writing is certainly a helpful tool.
Projected Job Growth: 9% from 2021 to 2031
Screenwriters are in charge of writing scripts for movies and TV shows. They work in a variety of genres, like writing scripts for TV episodes, documentaries, or even advertisements.
Screenwriters work closely with directors and producers in order to make their stories come to life. Some have full-time positions, but many work on a freelance basis as opportunities arise.
9. Ghostwriter
Average Annual Salary: $57,406 (SimplyHired)
Education Requirements: bachelor’s or master’s degree in English, writing, communications, or journalism.
Projected Job Growth: 9% from 2021 to 2031
If you are someone who is passionate about helping others tell their stories or providing assistance with those who struggle with writing, then ghostwriting may be the job for you.
Ghostwriters are tasked with writing books (typically memoirs) using another person’s voice. As a ghostwriter, you may work alone or in a group. Many well-known figures such as politicians and celebrities hire ghostwriters to assist them in the writing of their books. They do so due to a lack of time or a particular aptitude for writing. Although ghostwriters are the ones doing the writing, the published work is credited to the person whose voice is being conveyed. Ghostwriters are typically well compensated, especially for larger projects.
This job requires the ability to interview, research, and accurately convey the voice and tone of the person for whom you are writing.
10. Author
Average Annual Salary: $38,500 - $133,580 (Truity)
Education Requirements: bachelor’s or master’s degree in English, writing, communications, or journalism.
Projected Job Growth: 4% from 2021 to 2031
Authors specialize in writing fiction or non-fiction short stories and books for publishing (including self-published works). Novelists, for example, create works of fiction centered around characters. Non-fiction writers write well-researched books about a specific subject, and biographers specialize in giving an account of a person’s life.
11. Adjunct Writing Professor
Average Annual Salary: $79, 930 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Education Requirements: master’s degree in writing, journalism, literature, or English
Projected Job Growth: 6% from 2021 to 2031
Writing professors help students express themselves through their creative, academic, and professional written work. They will often specialize in one creative genre, like poetry, fiction, nonfiction, but may also teach introductory courses in creative or academic writing. A teaching credential or license is often required, in addition to experience in the classroom. PLNU’s M.A. in Writing provides training and experience to help you to explore your potential as a writing educator.
Is it worth getting a master’s in writing?
To further your writing career, a master’s in writing is worth considering.
Through PLNU’s M.A. in Writing program, you’ll gain access to expert knowledge and personalized mentorship from professors. You’ll also be exposed to various types of writing through a variety of courses, including courses in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more. The program also includes courses in pedagogy and writing theory, going beyond the scope of what you’d typically learn in a bachelor’s program and opening the door for further graduate study in writing.
