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Script Writer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Snowflake

Director, Brand Voice & Story

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$218K - $285K/yr

Function as the lead creative writer and storyteller responsible for script writing, headlines, and foundational brand copy. * Voice Activation: Translate Snowflake's voice into compelling creative ...

Sinclair Broadcast Group

News Writer (PT)

Fresno, CA · On-site

$17.50/hr

We have a rare opportunity for a 10 hour a week entry level editor/writer position. This position ... The right candidate will coordinate sponsorship scripts and graphics from the production truck.

Wealthfront

Market Commentary Writer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$160K - $180K/yr

Demonstrated experience writing and editing a variety of timely financial content, from newsletters to video scripts to social media posts, and more. * Familiarity with investing and personal finance ...

Digital Remedy

News Writer (PT)

Fresno, CA

$17.50/hr

We have a rare opportunity for a 10 hour a week entry level editor/writer position. This position ... The right candidate will coordinate sponsorship scripts and graphics from the production truck.

Audacy, Inc.

News Writer (Part-Time)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$22.02 - $38.02/hr

... scripts for news anchors to deliver via radio broadcast and digital stream * Write compelling ... teases (that don't give the story away!) * Incorporate sound bites, music, sound effects and other ...

Audacy, Inc.

News Writer (Part-Time)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$22.02 - $38.02/hr

... scripts for news anchors to deliver via radio broadcast and digital stream * Write compelling ... teases (that don't give the story away!) * Incorporate sound bites, music, sound effects and other ...

Audacy, Inc.

News Writer (Part-Time)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$22.02 - $38.02/hr

... scripts for news anchors to deliver via radio broadcast and digital stream * Write compelling ... teases (that don't give the story away!) * Incorporate sound bites, music, sound effects and other ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsScript Writer JobsScript Writer Jobs in California

Script Writer information

See California salary details

$157.6K

$190.8K

$220.9K

How much do script writer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for script writer in California is $190,782.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $174,200.00 and $207,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a script writer do?

A script writer is responsible for creating scripts for various forms of media, such as films, television shows, video games, and commercials. Their job involves developing storylines, writing dialogue, and structuring the narrative to fit the intended format. Script writers often work closely with directors, producers, and other team members to refine the script and ensure it aligns with the overall vision of the project. They may also revise scripts based on feedback and production needs.

How much do writers get paid per script?

The pay for script writers varies widely depending on the industry, experience, and project type. For example, screenwriters in Hollywood can earn from $50,000 to over $200,000 per script, while freelance writers may charge anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per script. Payment structures often include flat fees, royalties, or a combination of both, and writers with specialized skills or established reputations tend to command higher rates.

What is the difference between Script Writer vs Screenwriter?

AspectScript WriterScreenwriter
CredentialsOften no formal degree required; experience in writing and storytellingTypically holds a degree in film, screenwriting, or related fields
Work EnvironmentFreelance, agency, or in-house for media companiesFilm and television studios, production companies
Industry UsageUsed broadly for various media scriptsPrimarily in film and TV industries
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for general script writing rolesFocused on professional screenwriting careers

While both roles involve writing scripts, a Script Writer often creates content for various media, including commercials, videos, or online content, with less emphasis on film or TV. A Screenwriter specializes in crafting scripts specifically for movies and television, often requiring formal training and industry experience. Understanding these differences helps job seekers target the right roles in the entertainment industry.

How does a script writer typically collaborate with directors and producers during the development process?

Script writers often work closely with directors and producers to refine the narrative, dialogue, and pacing of a script. This collaboration usually involves participating in meetings, receiving feedback, and making revisions to ensure the script aligns with the overall vision and practical constraints of the production. Open communication and adaptability are key, as script writers may need to adjust scenes or characters based on director input, budget considerations, or casting changes. This teamwork helps create a cohesive story that is both engaging and feasible for production.

What qualifications do I need to be a script writer?

To become a script writer, a bachelor's degree in film, theater, journalism, or a related field is often preferred. Strong writing skills, creativity, knowledge of storytelling, and proficiency with screenwriting software like Final Draft or Celtx are important; a portfolio of writing samples can also enhance job prospects.

What Is a Script Writer?

A script writer writes a script for a movie, television show, commercial, play, or broadcast. Specific job duties vary depending upon the project, but often involve developing the story idea, creating an outline, generating dialogue, separating the script into acts, and working on character development. Some writers adapt a previous work into a new medium, like a book into a film. Other writers create a script from scratch.

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

To thrive as a Script Writer, you need strong storytelling abilities, excellent command of language, and a solid understanding of narrative structure, often supported by a degree in writing, film, or related fields. Familiarity with industry-standard screenwriting software like Final Draft or Celtx is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and effective communication are vital soft skills that help writers collaborate with directors and producers. These skills ensure scripts are engaging, professionally formatted, and tailored to specific audiences and production needs.

Is script writing in demand?

Script writing is in demand in industries such as film, television, advertising, and digital media, with opportunities growing as content creation expands. Strong storytelling skills, familiarity with screenwriting software, and the ability to meet deadlines are important for success in this field.

How do I get a job as a script writer?

To become a script writer, develop strong storytelling skills, create a portfolio of scripts, and gain experience through internships or freelance projects. Knowledge of industry-standard software like Final Draft and understanding of screenplay formatting are also important for securing a job in the field.
More about Script Writer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Script Writer jobs in California? The most popular types of Script Writer jobs in California are:
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What job categories do people searching Script Writer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Script Writer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Script Writer jobs? Cities in California with the most Script Writer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Script Writer jobs in CA? For Script Writer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Script Writer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Script Writer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 44% Full Time, and 56% Contract. Highlights an 46% In-person, and 54% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $190,782 per year, or $91.7 per hour.
Software engineer, connectors & MCP

Software engineer, connectors & MCP

Writer

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$155K - $304K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

About WRITER
WRITER is where the world's leading enterprises orchestrate AI-powered work. Our vision is to expand human capacity through superintelligence. And we're proving it's possible - through powerful, trustworthy AI that unites IT and business teams together to unlock enterprise-wide transformation. With WRITER's end-to-end platform, hundreds of companies like Mars, Marriott, Uber, and Vanguard are building and deploying AI agents that are grounded in their company's data and fueled by WRITER's enterprise-grade LLMs. Valued at $1.9B and backed by industry-leading investors including Premji Invest, Radical Ventures, and ICONIQ Growth, WRITER is rapidly cementing its position as the leader in enterprise generative AI.
Founded in 2020 with office hubs in San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, Austin, Chicago, and London, our team thinks big and moves fast, and we're looking for smart, hardworking builders and scalers to join us on our journey to create a better future of work with AI.
About the role
We're looking for an exceptional software engineer to join our rapidly evolving team at WRITER. In this pivotal role, you'll be at the forefront of expanding human capacity by building the next generation of AI-powered solutions that transform how leading enterprises operate. You'll dive deep into developing a state-of-the-art platform that leverages cutting-edge generative AI technologies, from large language models to sophisticated agentic workflows, delivering seamless, scalable, and secure applications that redefine enterprise productivity. This is an unparalleled opportunity to make a tangible impact, shaping the future of AI and contributing to a product that's changing how the world works.
This role is hybrid, based out of our San Francisco, New York City, or Seattle hubs. You'll report to our senior director, engineering .
What you'll do
  • Design and deliver secure, scalable AI integration platforms that connect enterprise systems and power mission-critical automation.
  • Contribute to the design and evolution of our AI integration client ecosystem, defining how AI applications securely connect to external tools, data sources, and enterprise systems.
  • Own backend service design for high-throughput, low-latency APIs that enable reliable agent workflows and complex cross-system orchestration.
  • Set technical direction for identity, auth, and trust boundaries across integrations (OAuth, API key, service-to-service), balancing developer velocity with security and compliance.
  • Partner with product and cross-functional engineering leaders to shape roadmap, define technical strategy, and translate ambiguous business goals into durable platform capabilities.
  • Lead production excellence through a metrics-first reliability strategy, defining and enforcing SLOs/SLAs, maturing observability, and driving resilience, incident readiness, and performance optimization at scale.
  • Raise the engineering bar through architecture reviews, pragmatic design standards, rigorous testing strategy, and mentorship of senior and mid-level engineers.

☆ What you need
  • 5+ years of software engineering experience building and operating production backend systems using Typescript, Deno, Node.js, or Bun; scope and leveling can flex across Senior to Staff based on architectural impact and leadership.
  • Strong experience designing and shipping API-driven platform services and distributed systems, including microservices, event-driven patterns, and secure service-to-service communication.
  • Practical expertise building AI integration layers (e.g., MCP clients/servers, tool orchestration, external API connectors, auth mediation), not just prompt or model experimentation.
  • Deep hands-on knowledge of authentication and security patterns for third-party integrations (OAuth2/OIDC, API keys, token lifecycle, secret management, least-privilege access).
  • Proven cloud-native experience on AWS, GCP, or Azure, including containerized workloads (Docker/Kubernetes), CI/CD, and production operations.
  • Strong experience with observability and reliability engineering, including defining/operating service metrics, SLOs/SLAs, alerting, incident response, and performance tuning.
  • Solid backend fundamentals in modern server frameworks and data systems (e.g., TypeScript/Node or Python ecosystems, PostgreSQL), with ability to choose the right tool for the system; experience with Python is a plus but not required.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity: partner cross-functionally, mentor engineers, drive technical decisions, and own delivery from design through production.
  • You embody our core values of Connect, Challenge, and Own. You build strong partnerships across teams, challenge conventional thinking to drive innovation, and take ownership of your work with a focus on delivering meaningful impact and excellence.

Benefits & perks (US Full-time employees)
  • Generous PTO, plus company holidays
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
  • Paid parental leave for all parents (16 weeks)
  • Fertility and family planning support
  • Early-detection cancer testing through Galleri
  • Flexible spending account and dependent FSA options
  • Health savings account for eligible plans with company contribution
  • Annual work-life stipends for:
    • Wellness stipend for gym, massage/chiropractor, personal training, etc.
    • Learning and development stipend
  • Company-wide off-sites and team off-sites
  • Competitive compensation, company stock options and 401k

WRITER is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to diversity. We don't make hiring or employment decisions based on race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal law. Under the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
By submitting your application on the application page, you acknowledge and agree to WRITER's Global Candidate Privacy Notice.

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