A newly released WGA Writer Employment Snapshot paints a sobering picture of the current state of employment for writers in film and television, confirming what many in the industry have long suspected: jobs are scarcer, series are fewer, and writing careers are harder to sustain than ever before.
The analysis, based on WGA-reported employment records for 2023–2024, shows a 37% drop in the number of WGA-covered episodic series compared to the prior year. That contraction resulted in a staggering 1,319 fewer writing jobs—impacting writers at every level, from staff writers to showrunners.
“In times like these, we must continue to support each other and fight for what we deserve,” the WGAE said in a statement. “We know many members are struggling as a result.”
A Post-Peak TV Landscape
The decline follows years of explosive growth in “Peak TV,” now in sharp reverse due to a pullback in streaming content spending, pressure from Wall Street to turn profits, and fallout from the historic 2023 dual strikes. Studios’ prolonged reluctance to negotiate contracts during the labor stoppage further compressed the 2023-2024 season, shortening employment windows.
Across every job tier, the numbers dropped:
| Position Level | 2022–23 | 2023–24 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Level | 824 | 446 | -378 |
| Mid-Level | 720 | 421 | -299 |
| Upper Level | 1,594 | 952 | -642 |
| Total TV Writing Jobs | 3,138 | 1,819 | -1,319 |
The share of jobs by level has remained largely consistent, but the absolute losses are significant and unprecedented in recent memory. The current number of episodic series (228) is the lowest in five years, with even pre-pandemic benchmarks in 2018-19 and 2019-20 offering significantly more opportunities.
Screenwriting Fares Slightly Better—But Still Shrinking
On the film side, screenwriter earnings fell 6% for the first three quarters of 2024 compared to the same period in 2022. The number of working screenwriters also dropped 15%, from 2,036 to 1,769.
| Year (Q1–Q3) | Earnings | Writers Working |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $356.9M | 2,036 |
| 2023 | $303.5M | 1,947 |
| 2024 | $333.9M | 1,769 |
While the number of WGA-covered films released has held relatively steady, the drop in working screenwriters suggests that more writers are competing for fewer jobs, even in stable sectors of the industry.
A Call for Solidarity and Enforcement
The Guild emphasized that “the contract is only as strong as we make it,” urging members to report any potential contract violations, including late payments or on-set issues. Writers are also encouraged to stay active through training opportunities, union solidarity initiatives, and by reaching out to WGAE captains for resources and support.
“If you want to talk about the difficulty you are experiencing on the job or finding a job in the industry, please reach out to your WGAE captain,” the Guild noted. “They are there to help… or just to listen if you need to commiserate with a fellow writer.”
The Guild also pointed to broader political and economic headwinds. “We are all subject to the decisions of the companies that control this industry, who have pulled back spending on content based on the demands of Wall Street. Compounding that, the current administration seems intent on causing economic chaos and undermining our democracy.”
What Comes Next?
While some signs of recovery may emerge with the 2024-2025 TV season, it’s still too early to conclude. Early reports suggest at least 380 lower-level TV jobs have opened in current development rooms—but that number is a far cry from previous norms.
The WGAE continues to track trends closely and will release a full employment report for 2024 later this summer.
In the meantime, the Guild is urging its members to stay vigilant, get involved, and remember the power of collective action. As the WGA put it: “In times like these, we must support one another and protect the gains we fought for together.”
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