Writers and authors
SOC Code: 27-3043
Writers and authors carries a 32% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $72,270 and +3.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 135,400 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 32% AI exposure, Writers and authors sits 5 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 37% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Writers and authors sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Writers and authors has ai exposure of 32%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Writers and authors vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Writers and authors is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Writers and authors (SOC 27-3043) carries an AI exposure score of 32%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 135,400 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.6% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $72,270, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Writers and authors. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
- 2. Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
- 3. Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
- 4. Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
- 5. 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.
- 6. Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
- 7. Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
- 8. Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.
- 9. Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
- 10. Write words to fit musical compositions, including lyrics for operas, musical plays, and choral works.
Key Skills Required
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Learning Strategies
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Communications and Media
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Sales and Marketing
- Fine Arts
- Psychology
- History and Archeology
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Philosophy and Theology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Writers and authors?
Writers and authors has an AI exposure score of 32%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Writers and authors?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Writers and authors is projected to grow by 3.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 135,400 workers.
What skills are needed for Writers and authors?
Key skills for Writers and authors include Writing, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Writers and authors earn?
The median annual wage for Writers and authors is $72,270, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Writers and authors?
The typical entry-level education for Writers and authors is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Writers and authors?
Writers and authors roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).