Also called: Ghostwriter, Thought Leadership Writer
Writes books, articles, and social posts that are published under someone else's name, like a CEO or celebrity.
You interview a CEO for hours, then write a LinkedIn post and a book chapter in her voice so convincingly that readers never know. Discretion is part of the job.
Highly variable; book ghostwriters can earn $50k-$250k per book.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's in English or journalism; a strong writing track record.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: English, Journalism, Creative Writing.
Growing about average. Steady demand from executives and public figures.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Many executives now draft posts with AI themselves; book-length work that captures a real person's voice and stories lasts.
Classes: Creative writing, English Language Arts, AP Language and Composition, Journalism.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-3043.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.