There are currently an estimated 131,200 television writers in the United States. The television writer job market is expected to grow by 7.6% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are television writers?

CareerExplorer rates television writers with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 14,300 television writers. That number is based on 10,000 additional television writers, and the retirement of 4,300 existing television writers.

Are television writers in demand?

Despite an increasing number of cable and satellite television stations; original programming; and online video markets, job prospects for television writers are projected to be weak. Aspiring scriptwriters are most likely to be employed by small and independent filmmakers. Those who are enamoured with the texture and majesty of the English language may in fact be better suited to a career as a novelist or essayist. This is because writing for television demands a connection to diverse ad copy, sports pages, and even comic books. The art calls more upon the vernacular of the streets and pop culture than of celebrated poets and orators and great literature. Successful television writers ignore both the fantasy of fame and fortune and the dire prediction of doom and gloom. Neither is typical. The most successful television writers doggedly promote their projects; anticipate artistic and commercial success; accept criticism and welcome collaboration; expect setbacks and frustration; learn from rejection; and never abandon an idea or story that they believe is destined for television screens. While these kinds of experiences and challenges certainly occur in other occupations, they are an undeniable and inherent part of life as a television writer. Those who enter the field will be best served if they forego the word ‘easy’ for the word ‘process,’ and understand that perseverance is the only road to accomplishment.

What’s the supply of television writers?

The television writer industry is concentrated in California, New York, Texas

Television Writer job market by state

State Name Employed Television Writers
California 7,990
New York 7,310
Texas 2,110
Illinois 1,880
Florida 1,710
Massachusetts 1,680
Ohio 1,520
Washington 1,300
Virginia 1,290
Pennsylvania 1,260
District of Columbia 1,170
New Jersey 1,090
Minnesota 1,070
Maryland 1,020
Michigan 840
North Carolina 830
Utah 780
Missouri 730
Georgia 720
Tennessee 710
Oregon 700
Wisconsin 650
Colorado 650
Connecticut 630
Indiana 510
Iowa 450
Arizona 420
Kentucky 360
Louisiana 310
Kansas 300
New Hampshire 280
Nebraska 280
Oklahoma 280
Nevada 260
South Carolina 240
North Dakota 190
Alabama 180
Rhode Island 170
Vermont 160
Montana 150
Idaho 150
Mississippi 150
Maine 140
Alaska 130
Arkansas 120
West Virginia 100
Hawaii 100
New Mexico 90
South Dakota 60
Puerto Rico 60
Delaware 60
Wyoming 40