Where AI can help
AI can propose structures, tone variations and drafts to be checked.
Creative and media · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Writers and Authors
Create text to inform, persuade, narrate or document. The work relies on research, point of view, structure and fit with the reader.
Observed AI exposureNot measured in this editionAnthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection-0.3%2025–2035
Education typically neededBachelor’s degreeBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Research a topic and verify sources
- 02
Define structure, voice and audience
- 03
Write, revise and edit drafts
- 04
Adapt content to format and channel
- 05
Work with editors, experts and clients
An example of an output
A revised, verifiable text suited to its reader, purpose and publication channel.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Publishing, communications, marketing, technical content and independent work. Deadlines and revision cycles vary widely.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$86,090
Median annual pay$76,910
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$44,310
90th percentile$139,870
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 2025140,300
Projected openings per year11,900
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
Facts, voice, editorial responsibility, cultural context and publication decisions require authorship and review.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Write a short explanation for two audiences, verify every claim and record the sources you used.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- Bachelor’s degree
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- None specified in BLS classification
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Researchclaritystructureediting and revision
Tools you may encounter
Text editors · content management · research sources · style guides
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$70,560 Mean annual pay
Graphic Designers ↗
Structuring messages and understanding audiences can support visual communication decisions.
- What you can carry over
- Briefs, narrative and revision
- What you would need to learn
- Composition, typography, visual software and production files
What to consider
Strong writing does not replace visual practice or a design portfolio.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Write a short explanation for two audiences, verify every claim and record the sources you used.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Writers and AuthorsSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 27-3043.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗