Home / Arts and Entertainment / Fewer Writers Working: Film/TV Job Cut 27%
Fewer Writers Working: Film/TV Job Cut 27%
5 Aug
Summary
- WGA West reports 27% fewer writers earned income in 2025 compared to 2022.
- Total writer earnings are down 25% from their 2022 peak.
- Feature film writing jobs down 14%, TV jobs down over 33% since 2022.
Employment for film and television writers has significantly decreased, with the WGA West reporting 27% fewer members earning income in 2025 compared to three years prior. Approximately 5,072 writers reported earnings last year, a notable drop from nearly 7,000 in 2022. The guild attributes this contraction to companies reducing scripted programming after a period of overspending.
While overall jobs declined, total writer earnings saw a marginal 1.3% decrease from 2024 to 2025, reaching $1.7 billion. This indicates earnings may be leveling out despite falling employment. However, total earnings remain about 25% below the 2022 peak. Television writing continues to be more heavily impacted than feature film writing, with TV jobs down over 33% and feature film jobs down approximately 14% since 2022.
Feature film writers earned more money in 2025 than in any of the preceding five years, reporting $521 million, a 7.2% increase. Meanwhile, residuals collectively decreased by 4.9% year-over-year to $535.5 million in 2025. High-budget SVOD residuals, however, have surged over 300% in five years, reaching $77.83 million in 2025, indicating a growing segment within residual income.
