Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (occupation group), with detailed role definition from O*NET, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers salary by state
Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
Top skills:WritingReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive LearningActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers pay by experience level
Entry level$46,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$60,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$79,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$105,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$145,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+3.6%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
13,400
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
13,230 workers
$90,500
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries
7,190 workers
$72,500
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
6,730 workers
$71,500
Publishing Industries
6,010 workers
$86,500
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
5,910 workers
$91,500
Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers
5,270 workers
$84,000
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
3,880 workers
$84,000
Educational Services
3,340 workers
$79,500
Broadcasting and Content Providers
2,830 workers
$93,000
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
2,310 workers
$78,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers make?
The average base salary for a Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers in the United States is $89,000 per year, or about $42.79 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $60,000 and $105,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media roles?
The Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job family averages $88,500 across 45 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
