If you’re looking to dip your toe in the world of freelance writing, you might be wondering what payout you can expect. How much do I need to earn to be able to live comfortably? How much can I charge for my services?
It’s a common question, and for that reason, we’ve researched and compiled a list of the most frequent freelance writing rates, along with the respective industries and employers that typically use them.
The Most Frequent Rates
While the rates listed below vary widely, as you’ll see, they all fall within a fairly tight range.
The most frequent rate we found is $25 for 500 words. That’s pretty much all there is to it. If you want to know what other frequently used rates are, we have compiled a list of them below along with some analysis in the form of pros and cons.
$25 For 500 Words
That’s the most frequent rate we found, and it comes with a couple of significant advantages. For one thing, this is the lowest rate we found listed anywhere. For another, it corresponds exactly to the minimum wage for an entry-level writer in New York City. For those earning $25/hour, you’ll have a very high income potential. Just make sure you are willing to dish out the required amount of work.
Advantages
This is a frequently used rate, which means there are probably a lot of employers that use it and are aware of it. The fact that it is so widely used indicates that it is a commonly accepted and understood rate. It is an excellent rate for getting your feet wet, for someone looking to break into the industry, or who is just wanting to try out freelancing as a side gig.
The only significant disadvantage is that it is so low, it doesn’t provide much in the way of profit. Even at this low rate, you’ll be making pretty penny compared to other industries. The more you write, the more you’ll be able to charge. Although it’s a pain to have to look for work, in case you’re wondering, you can find plenty of writing gigs at the $25 per 500 word rate.
$30 For 600 Words
This is another frequently used rate, and it too, has a couple of significant advantages. For one thing, it is the midpoint between the low rate and the high rate we previously mentioned. For another, it is more or less in the middle of the range, which makes it a bit more unpredictable, which is sometimes preferable, as opposed to having a low or high rate.
Advantages
Again, this is another frequently used rate, so there are probably a lot of employers that use it. It is a fair rate, and it provides a good amount of profit. As with the previous rate, there is also the middle ground of unpredictability, which makes it interesting for the writer. Not only that, but you’ll usually get to choose the client you want to work with and are in a position to negotiate a higher rate. Sometimes that can be advantageous.
The significant disadvantage is that it is a bit on the high side compared to other rates we see. If you want to make some real money, you’ll have to charge at least $50 for a single piece. Of course, there is a lot of freelancing gigs out there that don’t require you to charge $50, so you might get to try out some more affordable rates, depending on the client you choose. Overall, this is a fair rate to go by.
$40 For 700 Words
This is another frequently used rate, and there are a couple of significant advantages to it. For one thing, it is the exact midpoint between the low rate and the high rate we mentioned previously. For another, it is in the middle of the range, which means it is somewhat predictable. That’s important, because, as we’ve established, not all clients are created equal, which can make or break a potential freelancer. It can help to have some consistency with your income, which is important for any freelancer, regardless of where they live. If you charge this rate, you can pretty much guarantee you’ll be on the higher end of the range, but it won’t be as bad as you’d think. There will also be times when you can pull in some very high rates for big name publications or prominent individuals.
Advantages
This is an excellent rate for those who want to make some serious money off their abilities. Typically, those who charge this rate are established within the industry and have plenty of work to bring in the monthly income. The significant disadvantage is that it is inconsistent. Sometimes you’ll get a boost from a well-known name, while other times you might struggle to find work. It all depends on the nature of your work and how established you are within your industry. This rate provides the best of both worlds, but you have to be willing to do some searching and networking to be able to make the most of it.
The only other rate we found that comes close is $50 for 700 words. Unfortunately, there is no real advantage to this rate, as it is still quite high compared to what you’d get at the $25 rate. The only difference is that it is somewhat more consistent. For example, you might get a phone call every now and then, wanting to know when you’ll have some content for an article. While this might not seem like a lot, it adds up. A really high-quality individual could make over $100,000 per year at this rate, but the amount of effort required is extremely high. You’d have to produce content for at least a few different publications in order to maximize your income potential, but the effort is worth it. If you’re looking for a steady flow of work, this isn’t the rate for you. But, if you’re looking for some extra cash now and then, this might be the rate for you!
$50 For 900 Words
This is another frequently used rate, and it too, has a couple of advantages. For one thing, it is the exact midpoint between the low rate and the high rate we previously mentioned. For another, it is in the middle of the range, which makes it somewhat predictable. That’s important, because, as we’ve established, not all clients are created equal. You’ll have to decide whether or not you want to take that into consideration and risk getting stuck with a bad customer, or you can choose a well-known and established client and take the chance at earning some good money.
Advantages
This is another excellent rate for those who want to make some serious money. Typically, those who charge this rate are established within the industry and have plenty of work to bring in the monthly income. The significant disadvantage is that it is inconsistent. Sometimes you’ll get a boost from a well-known name, while other times you might struggle to find work. It all depends on the nature of your work and how established you are within your industry. This rate provides the best of both worlds, but you have to be willing to do some searching and networking to be able to make the most of it.
The only other rate we found that comes close is $60 for 900 words. Unfortunately, there is no real advantage to this rate, as it is still quite high compared to what you’d get at the $25 rate. The only difference is that it is somewhat more consistent. For example, you might get a phone call every now and then, wanting to know when you’ll have some content for an article. While this might not seem like a lot, it adds up. A really high-quality individual could make over $100,000 per year at this rate, but the amount of effort required is extremely high. You’d have to produce content for at least a few different publications in order to maximize your income potential, but the effort is worth it. If you’re looking for a steady flow of work, this isn’t the rate for you. But, if you’re looking for some extra cash now and then, this might be the rate for you!
$70 For 1,000 Words
This is another frequently used rate, and there is a couple of significant advantages to it. For one thing, it is the exact midpoint between the low rate and the high rate we previously mentioned. For another, it is in the middle of the range, which makes it somewhat predictable. That’s important, because, as we’ve established, not all clients are created equal. You’ll have to decide whether or not you want to take that into consideration and risk getting stuck with a bad customer, or you can choose a well-known and established client and take the chance at earning some good money.