Fewer Screenwriters Are Working, But Those Who Are Making More
Summary
The feature-writing business is getting smaller and more concentrated. New WGA numbers show fewer writers working on features, while the writers who are working are taking home more money.
Around 2,007 WGA members reported feature-film earnings in 2025, down roughly 14% from 2022. At the same time, total feature-writing earnings reached approximately $521 million, up 7.2% from the previous year. The numbers suggest that feature work isn't disappearing entirely, but opportunities are being concentrated among a smaller group of writers. For writers trying to break in, that makes an already competitive market even tougher.