How Much Do Television Writers Make? List of Salaries by State

Television writers create the characters and plot lines that people love to watch on network TV, cable and streaming services. If you’re a creative person who enjoys telling stories, this career may be a good match for you. In this article, we explore how much television writers make, provide a list of average salaries by state, look at what factors influence their pay, examine the job outlook for the field and explore the different types of television writers.

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A television writer is a specialized writer who works on scripts for television series, programs, documentaries, game shows, news programs, commercials and more. They develop the situations, stories, characters and dialogue that help create a television production. Everyone involved in the project, such as actors and the director, uses these guidelines to create the writer’s vision. Television writers typically work in a team with other writers to ensure they meet deadlines and achieve script continuity. They also often hold a bachelor’s degree in an area such as English or journalism, but this isn’t always a requirement.

Television writers make an average of .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;} Each state has a different average salary for this career based on factors like the area’s cost of living and demand for industry professionals. Here’s a list of the average pay for television writers by state:

What a television writer receives as compensation depends on various aspects of their employment, including:

The Writers Guild of America is a labor union representing radio, television, film and new media writers. If a writer is a member of this organization, there is a minimum set for earnings. However, the writer can be paid more, and there is no limit to compensation. Writers working on union productions must be members of the WGA.

From May 2020 to May 2021, a television writer working on a 30-minute network prime time show is guaranteed $11,971 for the teleplay of one episode. It’s the minimum set by the union for that timeframe.

Writing on spec means the writer is pitching a show idea or script in the hope that the production company picks up the program for a full run of episodes. The WGA controls the conditions and minimums for this type of material as well. Rules based on the length of the program, broadcast company and script type determine what the minimum payment is.

For one year, a television writer providing a story that is purchased receives a minimum of $25,424. This is the amount the union has set for this time period.

A television writer may be offered or choose to take on other roles in addition to writing the script. For example, the position of producer or story editor is a common choice. Again, the WGA controls the minimum compensation increase when multiple roles are held.

A television writer decides to work as both head writer and executive producer, which allows her to make substantially more income per episode.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides employment data for media and communication professionals in general rather than television writers specifically. The BLS expects the media and communications field to .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;} between 2019 and 2029, which is slightly below the general workforce at 4%.

There are several different types of writers in the television industry. Here are some common job titles:

This is an entry-level position and how most TV writers begin their careers. In this position, you’re responsible for writing smaller segments of a show. You may not be included in the show credits at this level, but it’s a great way to start in this career.

Despite their job titles, story editors do very little, if any, actual editing. Instead, they pitch ideas and write at least one episode of the program.

Writers in this role are mid-level employees with at least three years of experience. Executive story editors typically help other writers on the team create programs and make revisions to the script when necessary.

The person leading and overseeing a group of writers is the head writer. Comedy shows, talk shows and soap operas usually employ more head writers than other TV genres.

Co-producers are still often considered writers, but they tend to hold more responsibilities. For example, a co-producer may be responsible for overseeing a production at a higher level and ensuring it stays within budget.

Similar to a co-producer, a producer is often assigned to other duties in addition to writing. Tasks like sitting in on casting sessions for higher-level producers are common.

A supervising producer holds a senior-level position and oversees the work of other producers. They are usually heavily involved in the pre-production, filming and post-production phases of program development.

The co-executive producer works directly under the executive producer, which means they run production in the absence of the showrunner. All on-staff writers report to the co-executive producer.

Usually, an executive producer is the creator of the show who wrote the pilot, and they oversee the entire production. This is the highest-ranking television writing position.