Copywriter Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary
A copywriter writes the words that sell and explain: headlines, ads, landing pages, emails, product descriptions and scripts. The job is less about pretty sentences than about getting a reader to do something next, so copywriters spend as much time on offers and structure as on phrasing.
Copywriters work in-house on a brand's own channels or at agencies across many clients, and in both settings they usually work from a brief, a style guide and performance data. The strongest copywriters test their instincts against results and rewrite without ego when a line doesn't convert.
Copywriter job description template
Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.
Template · replace the [brackets]
Copywriter
[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]
About [Company]
[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]
About the role
[Company] is hiring a copywriter to write [ads, emails, landing pages] that sound like [brand] and move [audience] to act. You'll turn briefs into copy, work with [designers / marketing team], and adjust based on what performs.
What you'll do
- Write copy for [ads, landing pages, emails, product pages] from a creative brief.
- Develop headlines, taglines and calls to action, and offer variations to test.
- Keep voice and tone consistent with the brand style guide across channels.
- Partner with designers and marketers to fit copy to layouts and campaigns.
- Edit and proofread your own and others' copy for clarity and correctness.
- Use performance data from A/B tests to revise underperforming copy.
- Research the product, audience and competitors before writing.
- Manage multiple briefs and deadlines with [project management tool].
What you'll bring
- [X]+ years writing copy for ads, web or email.
- A portfolio showing range: short-form ad copy and longer-form pages.
- Strong grasp of grammar, tone and plain, persuasive sentences.
- Comfort taking a brief, asking clarifying questions, and writing to a deadline.
- Ability to write for a defined audience rather than for yourself.
- Openness to edits and to testing copy instead of defending every line.
Nice to have
- SEO copywriting and keyword-aware headlines.
- Experience with [email platform] or [CMS].
- Basic understanding of A/B testing and conversion metrics.
- Scriptwriting for video or audio ads.
What we offer
- [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
- [Flexible hours, remote-friendly, creative development budget]
- [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
- [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]
[Our process: a recruiter call, a short paid writing test from a real brief, a portfolio review, and a meeting with the marketing team.]
[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]
Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.
Copywriter duties by seniority
What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.
Junior
- Writes shorter pieces such as social captions and product blurbs, with review.
- Follows the style guide closely and learns the brand voice.
- Proofreads and edits others' drafts for grammar and consistency.
Mid-level
- Owns copy for a campaign or channel from brief to final draft.
- Writes and tests headline and CTA variations independently.
- Gives feedback on briefs when the ask or audience is unclear.
Senior
- Sets or evolves the brand voice and writes the flagship campaigns.
- Mentors junior writers and reviews copy before it ships.
- Advises marketing leadership on messaging strategy, not just execution.
Copywriter career path
- Junior Copywriter
- Copywriter
- Senior Copywriter
- Lead Copywriter or Creative Director
Copywriters often start in journalism, English, marketing or at agencies as junior writers or interns, building a portfolio project by project. From there, paths split toward creative direction, content strategy, brand management or freelance work.
Similar roles
- Content Writer job description
Focuses on longer articles and content marketing rather than short, sales-driven copy.
- Technical Writer job description
Writes documentation and instructions instead of persuasive marketing copy.
- Social Media Manager job description
Owns the channel and strategy, writing is one part of a broader role.
- Marketing Coordinator job description
Supports campaign logistics and may write copy alongside other marketing tasks.
Copywriter job description FAQ
What does a copywriter do?
Writes the words used in ads, landing pages, emails and other marketing materials, aiming to get a specific reader to take a specific action. Work usually starts from a creative brief and is judged by clarity, tone fit and, often, performance data.
What should a copywriter job description ask for?
A portfolio showing range across short and long copy, solid grammar and editing skills, and comfort writing to a brief and deadline. SEO copywriting or email platform experience are reasonable nice-to-haves depending on the channel.
Do copywriters need a specific degree?
No. Many come from English, journalism, marketing or communications, but a strong portfolio usually matters more than the degree listed. Writing samples relevant to the channel you hire for are the clearest signal.