When most people hear that someone is a writer, the first idea that pops into their heads would the image of a person which is tortured by their personal demons, but which turn that pain into a literary masterpiece, or at the very least the image of a struggling wordsmith who is working some dead-end job, waiting for a call from one of the publishers. So, basically, it’s either Dostoevsky, or Bradley Cooper’s characters in “Limitless”. However, the reality doesn’t have to be as grim if you are a writer or aspiring to be one. In this day and age, there are plenty of jobs which allow you to make use of your writing talents, and which, according to key industry figures, pay really well.
Let’s take a look at some best and most lucrative jobs for people who love writing.
Technical Writer
According to Matthew Childs, who works as writer for Essay Writing Lab, when it comes to technical writing, you need to be able to turn complex technical concepts and terminology into simple and understandable language. For example, technical writers are usually required to put together software user guides, manuals, complex technical documentation, and specifications, among other things. Also, if you are interested in this sort of gig, your soft skills will need to be on point, since you will be working closely with other professionals, such as developers, engineers, and designer, just to name a few. Not only is technical writing a promising profession, but it also pays upwards of $80,000 per year.
Proofreader
Proofreading is especially important nowadays, since the demand for online content is bigger than ever. Content gets produced fast, but it still needs to be flawless, which is where proofreaders come in. Whether it’s books, novels, columns, articles, or blog post, it doesn’t matter. Proofreader’s job is to make sure that all that content is free of any grammar, spelling, punctuation, and even stylistic errors, as well as to check if all the image captions are in their place. As a proofreader, you can choose to work for a publishing company, as a freelancer, or for one of the writing and proofreading services. In the United States, proofreaders make between $42,000 and $84,000 annually, depending on experience, the type of work, and the industry.
Journalist
According to Mike Holden, who works as manager for EduGeeksClub, one of the best careers for talented writers is journalism. Although print journalism is not as huge as it once was, in addition to it, there are other forms through which you can hone your journalistic chops, such as TV, radio, or the Web. There is no shortage of new stories you can research and turn into articles and blog posts, or even into videos, scripts, and podcasts. You are probably going to have to combine several of these we have just mentioned and to make peace with the fact that your schedule will be open at all times. In the United States, the median annual wage for journalists was $57,500 in May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Copywriter
Writing copy for the Web is almost an art, because you need to be able to understand your clients wishes and expectations perfectly, and then to convey their message using clear and concise copy which will appeal to a large audience and engage them in some way, according to Melissa Hart, who works as a copywriter for essay writing services. The work is diverse too, because you will be expected to write anything from advertising copy to sales materials and landing pages for products and services. In the United States, the average salary for a copywriter is between $76,000 and $83,000 per year, depending on experience level.
Speechwriter
Although it may seem like there isn’t enough work for you if you were to just write speeches, in reality, there are plenty of gigs you can get your hands on. Politicians aren’t the only ones that need someone to write a speech for them. You can also offer your services to celebrities, business executives, PR companies, and so on. The only downside of this job is that you will probably be required to write about something you don’t really stand for, especially when it comes to politics or particular products. But, speech writing is among the best paid writing jobs out there. The salary for a speechwriter in the United States can range from $87,000 to $205,000, depending on experience, location, and specialization.
Communications Director
Being a communications director is also one of the most lucrative professions where good writing skills are required. Corporations are always looking for someone to oversee and manage all of their communications, as well as to make sure that the company’s public image is top-notch. This particular job requires you to combine your writing skills with marketing and social media. You will also be required to put together content for press releases, articles, newsletters, email campaigns, blog posts, and company ads. A Communications Director can earn even up to $190,000 annually depending on experience, speclization, and industry.
Freelance Writer / Ghostwriter
Although certain freelance platforms have given freelance writing a bad name, the truth is that talented ghostwriters can earn from $20,000 up to $100,000+ annually writing for clients. It just depends on how you go about it. Being a ghostwriter for bloggers, columnists, or even book authors can be pretty lucrative, and if you decide to publish your own work via platforms such as Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, there is no telling how much you can earn writing eBooks, provided that you have picked the right niche.
Summary
Being a writer nowadays can be one of the best jobs out there, provided that you do your research and decide on what it is that you really want to do. Of course, working hard is a given, and if you can manage to do both, you can look forward to a lucrative and prosperous career as a writer. Good luck!
If you are interested in learning more about making money as a writer, read our article How to Monetize Your Writing Talent.
