Columnists

Job opportunities for all writers are expected to increase by 5 percent during this time span—which is faster than the average for all careers. The employment outlook varies by type of content provider.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that employment of writers at publishing, broadcasting, and content providers will decline by 1.2 percent from 2023 to 2033.

Job opportunities for writers at newspaper publishers are expected to decline by 19.4 percent through 2033. Competition for newspaper and magazine positions is very strong, and competition for the position of columnist is even stiffer because these are prestigious jobs that are limited in number. Smaller daily and weekly newspapers may be easier places to find employment than major metropolitan newspapers, and movement up the ladder to columnist will also likely be quicker. Pay, however, is less than at bigger papers.

On the other hand, jobs opportunities for writers at media streaming distribution services, social networks, and other media networks and content providers will increase by 6.4 percent (faster than the average) through 2033. "As traditional print publications lose ground to other media forms, writers and authors are shifting their focus to online media, which should result in some employment growth for these workers," according to the DOL. "In addition, the continued rise in self-publishing may lead to increased employment of writers and authors."

Columnists who are comfortable writing for digital media and skilled at promoting themselves on social media and through podcasts should have stronger opportunities than columnists who do not have these skills.