People like to portray writers as starving artists, surviving on meager salaries while punching away at their keyboards, hoping that the next novel or article they write is going to sell for big money. In fairness to creatives, that's often an accurate picture. For those who excel at it, though, the sky is the limit. The very best authors in the world are millionaires, and even the good ones are frequently earning six figure salaries.
A degree in English literature is a great starting point for a potential writer. Writers often have little control over the assignments they're given, so the ability to research, understand and communicate information quickly is essential. Screenwriting and technical writing pay big money, but even a good speechwriter can earn thousands of dollars for one job if they're working with the right client. Not everyone is capable of writing a great speech, so they refer out to those who have the skills.