If you’re a freelance writer who is just getting started in the field, you might be wondering: “How much money can I make as a freelance writer?” Or maybe you’re an experienced professional looking for ways to take your career to the next level. Either way, it’s always helpful to know what other writers are earning.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, we’ve consulted some experts and put together some data on how much money different types of freelance writers make.
The specific amount that each type of freelancer makes can vary widely, though, so think of the following figures as averages and guidelines—not hard and fast rules. What’s most important is that you set financial goals for yourself and strive to meet them.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Earning potential varies among freelance writers |
| 2. Identifying profitable niches can lead to higher income |
| 3. Specializing in high-paying industries can boost earnings |
| 4. Building expertise and reputation can command premium rates |
| 5. Researching and adapting to market demands is crucial for maximizing earnings |
Content Writers: Average $80k Per Year
If you’re looking to pursue a career in content writing, you’re in luck: content writers in the United States make an average of $80,000 per year. If you break it down further, the top 10% of earners make $125,000, and the bottom 10% make $50,000. That means there’s plenty of room for advancement and growth!
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Journalists: Average $54k Per Year
Over the course of a year, a journalist typically makes between $34,500 and $54,000. If you’re just starting out, you might be making close to minimum wage at around $28,000 per year. It’s no surprise that senior journalists make the most money ($49k +) but some junior journalists make decent money as well.
Bloggers: Average $50k Per Year
In my experience, bloggers earn anywhere from $100 to $1,000,000 depending on the amount of traffic their blogs receive. Those who have a large following and who get lots of comments on their posts can earn more than those who do not.
Technical Writers: Average $60k Per Year
According to Glassdoor, the average Technical Writer in the United States earns $60,161 per year. While that doesn’t tell the whole story, it’s a good place to start. It also doesn’t include rates for those who pursue higher degrees (i.e. technical writing masters and doctorates).
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Resume Writers: Average $49k Per Year
Most resume writers make an average annual salary of $49,000. This can translate to $24 per hour, which means you can expect your earnings are $1,731 every two weeks. These salaries can vary depending on several factors including the state where you work and what company it is that you’re working for.
Copywriters: Average $51k Per Year
Copywriters get paid well. According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a copywriter is $47,811 per year. PayScale reports the average annual salary at $48,000. Glassdoor lists the average at $51,973 per year.
Creative Writers: Average $62k Per Year
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, creative writers make about $62,170 per year, with a few exceptions. The average hourly wage for creative writers is $29.88, with some making as much as $46.34 per hour or as little as $14.18 per hour.
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Content Marketers: Average $55k Per Year
Content marketers write blog posts and articles (among other things). They also work with designers and coders to produce informational and educational materials like infographics and ebooks, or landing pages and emails. Their clients are usually businesses or organizations with a website or blog that need help producing content their target audience will find valuable.
Ghost Writers: Average $50k Per Year
The salary for a ghostwriter varies greatly depending on who’s hiring and what kind of work they need to be done. If you’re providing content for a small business website, you might earn $20-$50 per page, which comes out to about $40k-$100k per year (depending on how much work the client needs to be done).
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Business Writers: Average $54k Per Year
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, freelance business writers may make as little as $15,000 and as much as $150,000 per year. Those with experience in content creation for businesses tend to fall in the middle of that range, earning between $40,000 and $80,000 annually.
This is an average based on the fact that experienced freelancers are able to select projects that pay higher rates and turn down those that don’t.
Resume Writers: Average $51k Per Year
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average salary for a resume writer is approximately $51,000 per year. Of course, there are many factors that influence how much you can make when you start your own career as a resume writer.
Your level of experience, your skillset, and where you live all play a role in determining how much money you will earn.
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Final Thoughts
In the end, it’s your own skills and talents that dictate how much you will earn as a freelance writer. There are lots of other things for you to think about, too—from business costs and marketing to writing quality. The best way to get to a healthy income level will take some trial and error, but if you put in the effort it will happen. Good luck!
Further Reading
10 Profitable Freelance Writing Niches: Discover ten lucrative freelance writing niches that offer excellent earning potential. Explore various industries and find your niche to excel as a freelance writer.
High-Paying Freelance Writing Niches: Explore high-paying freelance writing niches that can help you command premium rates for your services. Learn about specialized fields where freelance writers can earn substantial income.
Finding Your Freelance Writing Niches: Uncover strategies for identifying and finding the right freelance writing niches for your skills and interests. Gain insights into niche selection, positioning, and marketing to attract clients in your chosen niches.
FAQs
How Much Do Freelance Writers Make Per Hour?
It depends on a lot of factors, including work hours and clients, but many writers make over $20 an hour.
How Much Does A Freelance Writer Earn?
Again, this depends on a lot of factors, including what kind of writing you’re doing and how many clients you have at any given time. On average, we find that our writers make about $2,500 per month working part-time hours.
How Do I Get Started?
You can start by writing a blog. You can also write for friends and family or for a particular community. When you’re ready to take it to the next level, create a website that showcases your style and makes it searchable. From there, you can reach out to companies directly and inquire about freelance positions.
What Are The Options For Getting Paid?
You can get paid through Paypal, Venmo, or any other method that works best for both parties. There are also many freelance marketplaces online where people post jobs and writers bid on them—if this is something that interests you, check out Upwork or Fiverr! They offer an opportunity to find work without having to put yourself out there all alone, which is nice when starting out as an independent contractor.
Which Freelance Writer Earns The Most?
Important to note that the answer to this question depends on the type of writing you do. For instance, a freelance writer who specializes in white papers will earn more than a freelance writer who specializes in blog posts. Additionally, it is important to consider your level of experience. A more experienced freelance writer will be able to charge more than a less experienced freelance writer.
Finally, your geographic location makes a difference in how much money you can make as a freelance writer. All else being equal, someone living in New York City will be able to charge more for their services than someone living in rural Kansas.
How Do I Become A Freelance Writer?
There are unlimited ways to become a freelance writer! If you want to start freelancing part-time while still working your full-time job, try reaching out to LinkedIn connections or posting on local job boards (like Craigslist). If you want to quit your day job and focus on freelancing full-time, try joining an online community for writers (like Freelancer Writer’s Association) and start building connections there. These resources can help you find work!
Do Freelance Writers Make More Than Employees?
Freelancers often have to spend more time finding new clients and managing their own schedules, which means that their overall pay is often less than that of an employee at a company. However, there are some cases where freelancers can earn more than employees. It all depends on what type of writing you do and how much demand there is for it.
What Does It Take To Be A Successful Freelance Writer?
Successful freelance writers are skilled at marketing themselves and finding work that pays well. They also know how to manage their time effectively so they can get more work done in less time. The most successful freelancers are disciplined self-starters who know how to use deadlines as motivators instead of distractions.
What Is The Difference Between Copywriting And Content Writing?
Copywriting is more narrowly defined and marketing-oriented than content writing. Copywriting is focused on delivering specific messages with very specific purposes in mind. Content writing can be used for pretty much anything—blog posts, website pages, product descriptions—and its goal is usually just to inform or entertain an audience in some way.
What Are Some Ways To Find Work As A Freelance Writer?
There are several different websites that you can use to connect with clients looking for freelance writers some sites cater to very specific niches, while others allow you to advertise yourself to a wider audience. Tons of companies also post ads seeking freelance writers directly on their websites. You can also get started writing for free by contributing content to blogs or websites that accept guest posts.
Where Can I Learn More About Becoming A Freelance Writer?
You can find tons of resources online outlining everything from building your portfolio to finding clients and negotiating rates—becoming a successful freelance writer is all about learning and doing!
Why Should I Become A Freelance Writer?
Writing is a great way to make money while also pursuing your passion! You can make money while doing something that you love, which is why we think it’s such an amazing career opportunity for anyone interested in writing professionally. If writing isn’t really your thing, but you still want to work from home and make an income on your own terms, then this could very well be the perfect job for you!
Do I Need Previous Experience With Writing?
You don’t need any previous experience with writing; this job is perfect for beginners, and there are no requirements.
Do I Have To Pay Taxes?
Yes, you do! You are a freelancer, so you need to make sure that any money earned is factored into your quarterly and yearly tax estimates. We recommend that you set aside some of your earnings every month to make sure you’re covered when tax time rolls around.
How Much Can I Make Freelancing?
You can earn as much or as little as you want, depending on how many hours per week you want to put in. The more you work, the more you’ll make. It’s all up to you!
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.