There are several jobs that you can get with a creative writing degree. You will be able to apply for a job in editorial writing, business writing, or fiction. You may also be able to get a job in creative directing, as well as in marketing or advertising. Let’s take a look at each job and its corresponding salary.
Editorial Writer
You will often find editorial writers working for digital media companies like Buzzfeed or The Huffington Post. The job requires you to write for a range of publications across the world. You will be expected to write regular articles on a variety of topics, while also being responsible for a section of the site dedicated to celebrities, pop culture, and fashion. If you have a good eye for style and can come up with clever ideas for content, then this could be the perfect job for you.
The pay for this job can vary, but it will typically fall between $20,000 and $30,000 per year, according to Payscale.com. The starting annual salary for this job is somewhere around $40,000, so it’s definitely worth pursuing if you can get the job. This is a very prestigious occupation and many people have a lot of success with it.
Business Writer
If you have a business degree, you can get a job as a business writer. Many large companies and firms will have an internal department that handles communication with the press, customers, and other businesses. As a business writer, you will mainly be tasked with writing press releases, company announcements, and financial and product information for internal use. You will also be required to take online classes in business communication, research, and analysis. Some of the work can be very dull, but there is also a lot of opportunity to make a lot of money.
The median salary for this job is around $45,000, according to Payscale.com. You can expect to start off with a modest salary of about $24,000, but as you gain more experience, your pay will increase rapidly.
Fiction Writer
If you have a passion for telling stories and putting words to paper, then you can become a fiction writer. There are several well-known and reputable literary agencies that can get you started on your career. If you can’t begin to write a novel or short story without having many ideas, then this could be the perfect way to develop your skills. You will be expected to submit short stories and partial novels for consideration, as well as to participate in pitch meetings with agents and editors.
You will typically be paid per word, so the more you write, the more you will be paid. If you want to get started, you can do so for free by contributing to online publications or social media channels. You can also look for online courses that will help you get a head start on your career. The only real trick is to keep writing and developing your skills.
Marketing Writer
If you have a background in marketing and advertising, you can get a job as a marketing writer. As a marketing writer, you will be tasked with writing product descriptions, feature articles, and ad copy for digital publishers and advertising agencies. You will need to have a firm understanding of marketing concepts, as well as marketing research and analysis skills. You will also need to be able to come up with ideas for articles and ads, as well as know how to write them effectively. The pay for this job is typically between $40,000 and $60,000 per year, according to Payscale.com. The starting salary for this job is around $40,000, so if you can get the job, it’s a good opportunity to make some quick money.
Creative Director
A creative director is primarily a content strategist who is responsible for the creative aspect of a product or campaign. The position can exist within a marketing firm, advertising agency, or an in-house marketing department at a large corporation. As a creative director, you will need to have a keen eye for detail, as well as excellent organizational and communication skills. You will be expected to work with the art department and make copies of designs, as well as work with stakeholders to create an agreed-upon vision for a project. You will also need to be able to make a persuasive argument and present it to a team of stakeholders. Basically, you will need to be a strategist, a leader, and an organizer, all while having an artistic eye.
The median salary for this position is around $63,000, according to Payscale.com. If you can get the job, you can expect to start off with a decent paycheck of around $44,000, but as you gain more experience, your salary will increase rapidly.
Editor
If you have a passion for getting words out into the world and being responsible for the content of a publication, then you can become an editor. You will be responsible for publishing a magazine, book, or website. Your responsibilities will include editing, fact checking, and designing pages, along with doing some graphic design. You will need to have a firm grasp of English grammar, punctuation, and spelling, as well as a good understanding of the media space that you are working in. If you have a keen eye for detail and are good at prioritizing, then this could be the perfect position for you.
The median salary for this job is around $48,000, according to Payscale.com. If you can get the job, you can expect to start off with an annual salary of around $31,000, but as you gain more experience, your pay will increase rapidly.
Copy Editor
If you have a degree in journalism or communications, you can get a job as a copy editor. You will be responsible for editing and polishing existing articles and press releases for publication. You will also be expected to attend editorial meetings and work with content strategists to create compelling copy for the digital marketing team. If you are a quick typer, then this could be a good fit for you. Your responsibilities will include editing articles for grammar, spelling, and style. You will also be responsible for fact checking, as well as researching information for the articles. The median salary for this position is around $45,000, according to Payscale.com. If you can get the job, you can expect to start off with a decent paycheck of around $34,000, but as you gain more experience, your pay will increase rapidly.
Designer
If you have a degree in graphic design, you can get a job as a graphic designer. Your responsibilities will include designing print and digital advertisements, logos, brochures, and websites. You will also be required to design speciality text for email marketing campaigns, social media platforms, and product reviews. You will need to have a keen eye for detail, as well as excellent organizational and communication skills. Designers work for both small businesses and large corporations, so if you are looking for a job, this could be a good option. The median salary for this position is around $48,000, according to Payscale.com. If you can get the job, you can expect to start off with a decent paycheck of around $34,000, but as you gain more experience, your pay will increase rapidly.
Accountant
If you have a passion for getting numbers apart of a story, then you can become an accountant. You will be responsible for keeping track of the financial health of a business. You will analyze accounts, prepare reports, and make financial projections. You will need to have a firm grasp of basic math, as well as a good understanding of financial institutions, such as the IRS. The median salary for this position is around $54,000, according to Payscale.com. If you can get the job, you can expect to start off with an annual salary of around $37,000, but as you gain more experience, your pay will increase rapidly.
This article was intended to give you a general idea of what jobs you can get with a creative writing degree. In general, you will be able to apply for jobs in editorial writing, business writing, or fiction. You may also be able to get a job in creative directing, as well as in marketing or advertising. There are several opportunities out there, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t find the exact job you are looking for right away.