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How to become a Copywriter

Also called: Advertising copy creator

Writes the copy (wording) used in advertising and promotion, describing the features of products and services clearly and well.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say university is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

No particular education or qualification is required to start, but many are university graduates. Some are hired by advertising agencies as new graduates, but writing skills and wide general knowledge are needed. There are also schools that specialise in training copywriters. Some people work as copywriters in company PR departments. For mid-career hiring, experience matters most, but young people from other industries are sometimes hired when fresh, flexible ideas are wanted. As you gain experience and become more creative, you get involved in the whole advertising process. Some lead designers, photographers and others as advertising directors. Some go independent as freelancers. You need to love writing, be interested in advertising and promotion, and have a feel for what is coming next. Some work in a particular field using specialist knowledge, such as science and technology.

Ways in

Pay · Job openings · AI and this job

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Copywriter?

No particular education or qualification is required to start, but many are university graduates. Some are hired by advertising agencies as new graduates, but writing skills and wide general knowledge are needed. There are also schools that specialise in training copywriters. Some people work as copywriters in company PR departments. For mid-career hiring, experience matters most, but young people from other industries are sometimes hired when fresh, flexible ideas are wanted. As you gain experience and become more creative, you get involved in the whole advertising process. Some lead designers, photographers and others as advertising directors. Some go independent as freelancers. You need to love writing, be interested in advertising and promotion, and have a feel for what is coming next. Some work in a particular field using specialist knowledge, such as science and technology.

How much does a Copywriter earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥6,731,500 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Authors, journalists, editors, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a Copywriter?

Usually. In this job's census occupation group, 73% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of a Copywriter?

Generative AI could change many tasks in this job, which usually reshapes the work more than it replaces it, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026