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Professional Writer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

BTAS, Inc.

Writer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$112K - $200K/yr

Writer LOCATION: El Segundo, CA REQUIRED SECURITY CLEARANCE: Active TS with SCI eligibility ... We are committed to working with exceptional quality and professionalism to deliver excellence to ...

BTAS

Writer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$112K - $200K/yr

Writer LOCATION: El Segundo, CA REQUIRED SECURITY CLEARANCE: Active TS with SCI eligibility ... We are committed to working with exceptional quality and professionalism to deliver excellence to ...

phils auto and fleet repair

service writer

Lodi, CA · On-site

$17 - $30/hr

Handle customer complaints with professionalism and ensure all services are performed to the shop ... Excellent verbal and written communication skills to explain technical repairs in "layman's terms ...

LanceSoft Inc

Content Writer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Interfaces with PMs, Engineers, subject matter experts, and technical and design professionals to ... Editing Experience User Experience UX Writing Style Guide Development Content Strategy Marketing ...

AmNet Services, Inc.

Technical Writer

San Jose, CA

Interfaces with PMs, Engineers, subject matter experts, and technical and design professionals to ... Editing Experience User Experience UX Writing Style Guide Development Content Strategy Marketing ...

phils auto and fleet repair

service writer

Lodi, CA · On-site

Automotive Service Writer / Advisor Location: L odi CA Job Type: Full-time Pay Range: [$17 - $30 ... Handle customer complaints with professionalism and ensure all services are performed to the shop ...

phils auto and fleet repair

service writer

Lodi, CA · On-site

Automotive Service Writer / Advisor Location: L odi CA Job Type: Full-time Pay Range: [$17 - $30 ... Handle customer complaints with professionalism and ensure all services are performed to the shop ...

K2 Space

Technical Writer

Los Angeles, CA

$100K - $140K/yr

Bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism, engineering, a science discipline, or related field * 5+ years of professional technical writing experience, ideally in aerospace, defense ...

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All JobsProfessional Writer JobsProfessional Writer Jobs in California

Professional Writer information

See California salary details

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How much do professional writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional writer in California is $23.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $27.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a professional writer?

Professional writers are individuals who earn a living by creating written content for a variety of purposes and audiences. They may work in fields such as journalism, marketing, technical writing, creative writing, or content creation for digital platforms. Their responsibilities often include researching topics, drafting and editing text, and tailoring their writing style to meet the needs of clients or employers. Professional writers can be employed full-time, work as freelancers, or operate their own writing businesses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a professional writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professional Writer, you need excellent command of language, strong research abilities, and a portfolio showcasing your writing experience. Proficiency with word processing software, content management systems, and familiarity with SEO tools or style guides like AP or Chicago Manual of Style are typically expected. Creativity, attention to detail, adaptability, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this field. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing compelling, accurate, and audience-focused content that meets client or publication standards.

How does a professional writer typically collaborate with editors and other team members during a project?

Professional writers often work closely with editors, project managers, and sometimes designers to ensure the final content meets the project's objectives and quality standards. Collaboration usually involves participating in brainstorming sessions, responding to feedback, and revising drafts based on editorial input. Clear communication and openness to constructive criticism are essential, as writers frequently go through multiple rounds of edits to refine their work. This collaborative process helps align the writing with the team's overall vision and the client's needs.

What is the difference between Professional Writer vs Content Writer?

AspectProfessional WriterContent Writer
CredentialsVaries; often includes degrees in English, Journalism, or related fieldsOften similar; degrees or certifications in writing or marketing are common
Work EnvironmentFreelance, corporate, publishing, or agency settingsPrimarily digital platforms, marketing teams, or agencies
Industry UsageUsed across publishing, advertising, corporate communicationsFocused on digital marketing, SEO, and online content

While both roles involve writing, a Professional Writer often has a broader scope, including publishing and various industries, whereas a Content Writer specializes in creating online content optimized for digital marketing and SEO. The roles overlap significantly, but the focus and application differ based on industry needs.

How do you become a professional writer?

To become a professional writer, one typically develops strong writing skills through education, practice, and reading widely. Building a portfolio of work, gaining experience through internships or freelance projects, and understanding industry-standard tools like word processors and editing software are also important steps.

What are professional writing jobs?

Professional writing jobs involve creating clear, accurate, and well-structured content for various purposes such as marketing, journalism, technical documentation, or corporate communication. These roles often require strong language skills, research abilities, and proficiency with editing tools or content management systems.

What are the most commonly searched types of Writer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Writer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Professional Writer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Professional Writer job openings:

Professional Writer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Professional Writer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,858 per year, or $24 per hour.

Technical Writer (US Citizen) - San Diego, CA - 4137

Altimeter Solutions

San Diego, CA • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

We've determined which skillsets are most beneficial for this role. These skills are listed first below as the Must Haves and Nice to Haves our hiring team highly prefers. Below that you'll find the standard job description for this opportunity.
Must Haves:
  • Bachelor's degree in English or related field (focus in professional writing, technical writing, or English Language preferred) with a minimum of 3 years of prior related work experience, or Associate's degree with a minimum of 6 years of prior related work experience
  • Excellence in professional/technical writing, editing, and researching, specifically process documents or equivalent.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (including Visio and SharePoint).
  • Experience with using workflow capabilities and functionalities within Microsoft SharePoint preferred.
  • Possess strong written and verbal communication, critical thinking, analysis, writing, editing, research, and attention to detail abilities.
  • Efficient with time management and task management.

Job Description:
  • Create and manage process documents for the Quality Management System (QMS) using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, SharePoint).
  • Responsible for collaborating with subject matter experts (SMEs) from Operations, Engineering, and Support departments to write and edit business process documents, user guides, forms, templates, and checklists that are clear, concise, procedurally accurate, and follow a logical, sequential flow.
  • Analyze any documents developed by personnel external to the writing team and update as needed to ensure they meet the same requirements as previously described. Ensure documents are compliant to industry, customer, and business policies, requirements, and procedures.
  • Analyze document creation and change requests with assistance from SMEs as needed to determine the level to which the QMS team should comply with the request, and approve or reject requests based on the results of the analysis.
  • Manage and track tasks to completion to ensure tasks are completed in an efficient and timely manner. Maintain regular status updates for each assigned task to effectively communicate task status to stakeholders.
  • Able to efficiently work on multiple projects at once to meet deadlines. Able to complete tasks independently with minimal direction. Take initiative to request or acquire additional tasks as assigned tasks are completed. Perform other tasks as needed and directed by lead.

Please see our website for more job openings: https://altimetersolutions.com/altimeter-solutions-job-board/

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