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Entry Level Playwriting Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Playwriting information

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$12

$16

$22

How much do entry level playwriting jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level playwriting in the United States is $16.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Playwriting vs Playwriting?

AspectEntry Level PlaywritingPlaywriting
CredentialsBasic writing skills, possibly a degree in theater or creative writingAdvanced writing experience, portfolio, possibly awards or recognition
Work EnvironmentFreelance, theater companies, workshopsTheater productions, commissions, collaborations
Industry UsageEntry positions, internships, developing scriptsProfessional productions, published works, established careers

Entry Level Playwriting involves developing basic writing skills and gaining experience through workshops or internships, often working freelance or with small theater groups. Playwriting refers to professional writing, with a portfolio of completed scripts, and often involves producing or publishing works. The main difference lies in experience level and career stage, with entry level focusing on skill-building and playwriting representing a more advanced, professional stage.

More about Entry Level Playwriting jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Playwriting jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Playwriting job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Playwriting jobs? The most popular types of Playwriting jobs are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Playwriting job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 96% Full Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,227 per year, or $16.9 per hour.
Theatre Adjunct Faculty Pool, School of Theatre and Dance

Theatre Adjunct Faculty Pool, School of Theatre and Dance

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

$5K/mo

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

In addition to its regular, full-time faculty, Columbia College Chicago hires scholars, creative professionals and other industry-experienced Adjunct Faculty to teach courses on a part-time basis. These positions are not available every semester and are contingent upon student enrollment and the availability of funding.

To be qualified to teach at the college, candidates must possess a degree at least one level above the level at which they teach, with a terminal degree in the relevant discipline as the preferred credential. In terminal degree programs, faculty members will possess the same level of degree. In occasional cases, demonstrated currency in a specialized discipline and a sustained history of distinguished professional work, compelling creative achievements, or other significant experience in the relevant field may be considered as an alternative to the required degree.  

The School of Theatre and Dance offers courses in disciplines including Acting, Comedy Writing and Performance, Dance, Musical Theatre, Theatre History and Analysis, Theatre Design and Technology, Devising and Collaborative Performance, Hip-Hop Studies, Playwriting, Stage Combat, and Theatre Directing. 

Please include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three references. Further materials, such as official transcripts sent from the degree-granting institution, may be requested at a later date. 

Entry level compensation rate for teaching one 3-credit course as of Fall 2026 is $5,635.00. Compensation for courses that carry fewer or more than three credits will be prorated down or up accordingly.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life, and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information. 

Columbia College Chicago actively promotes, access to an expansive array of social and cultural theories, practices and perspectives that are vitally important to the successful delivery of a contemporary creative curriculum and the college's mission to educate students who will author the culture of their times. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. 

We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly and/or professional work contributes to a rich educational experience consistent with our mission. For more information, please visit: colum.edu/academic-access-and-excellence. 

Additional Information:

  • Position subject to a background screening.
  • This is a union position.  
  • This position is overtime ineligible.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.