Occupations · Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 27-3043.05

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.
Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
Write words to fit musical compositions, including lyrics for operas, musical plays, and choral works.
Adapt text to accommodate musical requirements of composers and singers.
Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.
Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Writing4.8

Reading Comprehension4.2

Speaking3.9

Active Learning3.8

Critical Thinking3.8

Active Listening3.6

Monitoring2.8

Learning Strategies2.8

Mathematics1.8

Science1.1

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Adobe Acrobat●Adobe Creative Cloud software●Adobe Illustrator●Adobe InDesign●Adobe Photoshop●Facebook●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Word●WordPress●Apple iWork PagesAshley Software Writer's BlocksAutoCrit Editing WizardBare Bones Software BBEditBloggerContour StorytellerGoogle DriveLiterature & Latte ScrivenerMasterWriterOpenOffice.orgPower StructureRavenshead Services WriteItNowRed Sweater MarsEditRoughDraftScriptPerfection Power WriterSkypeSocial media software

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team−2.3 below average

Physical Proximity−2.0 below average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets−2.0 below average

Health and Safety of Other Workers−2.0 below average

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities−1.9 below average

Frequency of Decision Making−1.9 below average

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams−1.7 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2024-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree32%

Some College Courses27%

Less than a High School Diploma14%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)9%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2024-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Artistic7.0

Investigative3.6

Enterprising3.2

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Judgment and Decision Making3.2

Social Perceptiveness3.1

Complex Problem Solving3.1

Coordination2.8

Persuasion2.8

Time Management2.8

Service Orientation2.5

Negotiation2.4

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

English LanguageCommunications and MediaComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativeSales and MarketingFine Arts

Abilities it leans on

Written ExpressionFluency of IdeasWritten ComprehensionOriginalityOral ComprehensionNear Vision

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

PoetWriterAuthorBloggerLyricistNovelistHumoristDramatistSongwriterPlaywrightLibrettistGag WriterPoem WriterPlay Writer

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 1 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 13

+YouTube+Adobe Photoshop+Microsoft Office software+Adobe Illustrator+Skype+Facebook+Social media software+Adobe Acrobat+Adobe Creative Cloud software+Adobe InDesign+Microsoft Excel+Apple iWork Pages+Microsoft PowerPoint

No longer listed 1

−Apple iWorks Pages

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

PoetWriterCriticAuthorBloggerNovelistHumoristLyricistDramatistLibrettistPlaywrightGag Writer

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
lyricist	2641.4.1	broader
writer	2641.4	broader
script writer	2641.4.2	broader
vlogger	2642.1.17	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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