Also called: Feature Writer, Scriptwriter
Writes scripts for movies, from original ideas or adaptations.
A screenwriter outlines a story on index cards, writes drafts, gets notes from producers, and pitches new ideas in meetings. A script might be rewritten ten times before (if ever) it gets made.
Highly variable. WGA minimum for an original feature screenplay is over $100k, but most writers sell scripts rarely; many earn little in a given year.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Degree optional; many attend film school or screenwriting programs.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Screenwriting, Film, English.
Growing slowly. Fewer films made by studios; very competitive.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI drafts scenes, but WGA protections and the need for original stories keep human screenwriters; breaking in stays hard.
Classes: Creative writing, English literature, Film/video production CTE, Theater.
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.