What’s the Average Freelance Writer Salary?

If you’re considering a career as a freelance writer, you’re probably wondering what the average freelance writer salary is. A freelance career has many advantages – you’re in control of where and when you work, which clients you work with, and how much you charge.

However, a freelancer’s salary can also vary considerably, depending on how much they work and how many clients they have at any given time. This situation can make determining your monthly or yearly income difficult, especially when you’re starting out. In this post, we’ll take a look at:

• The average freelance writer salary
• The factors that can impact how much you earn

Keep reading to learn more.

How Much Do Freelance Writers Make?

Charging Per Hour, Per Word, or Per Project

Freelance writers typically charge per hour, per word, or per project for their work. Each method has advantages and disadvantages.

If you decide to charge hourly for your services, you could earn more money because planning and research time are easier to incorporate into your overall fee. However, you should note that some clients may request an estimate of how many hours you’ll need so they can budget for your fee.

When you charge per word or per project, you know up front exactly how much you’ll earn, making planning for expenses easier. However, charging this way is not ideal for projects that require a significant amount of extra non-writing work, such as conducting interviews or online research.

Average Freelance Writing Rates

The average base salary for freelancers varies slightly depending on which source you’re consulting. As of July 2023:

• According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for freelance writers in the United States is $25.14. Indeed.com reports that in the UK, the average hourly rate is £19.35. 
• According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for freelance writers in the United States is $49,538. Salary.com reports that the average yearly freelance writing salary in the United States ranges from $46,753 to $64,912.
• According to Talent.com, the average freelance writing salary in the UK is £58,500, based on a reported range of £32,156 to £87,750 per year.

While these figures aren’t exact, they do provide a good benchmark for what you might expect after launching your business, creating a portfolio, and building a client base.

What Determines How Much a Freelance Writer Earns?

Several factors determine how much a freelance writer earns, meaning that average rates can vary significantly from one writer to the next.

When you’re deciding what to charge, keep in mind that freelancing can come with a lot of expenses, including taxes, so you should factor these into your calculations. Below, we discuss five considerations that affect overall earning potential:

1. Specialization
2. Experience
3. The type of client
4. The deadline
5. The job’s complexity

1. Specialization

Having a specialization (or niche) can impact your rates. For example, if you demonstrate that you can write about specific in-demand or technical topics, you’ll be better able to attract clients in those fields, and with less competition, you may be able to charge more for your services.

Some examples of sectors that generally require detailed background knowledge are healthcare, finance, and the tech industry.

2. Experience

Your writing experience will also impact your average freelance writing salary. When you’re just starting out as a freelancer and building your portfolio, your rates may be on the lower end of the average range.

As your experience level increases and you collect word-of-mouth recommendations from existing clients, you can raise your prices accordingly.

3. The Type of Client

Another factor to consider when determining potential earnings is the type of client you have. Typically, corporate clients have bigger budgets than individuals or small businesses (e.g., a big financial company can afford to pay you more than a local bakery could).

However, this is where good negotiating skills could come in handy and can help you boost your total pay. And if a job pays a bit less than what you were looking for but would provide good experience and is something you’d enjoy, it may be worth taking, especially at the start of your career.

4. The Deadline

Some freelancers charge an extra fee for a tighter deadline because they may need to put other projects on the back burner to prioritize completing rush jobs.

Whether you decide to do that and how much you charge for doing it are up to you, but it’s something to keep in mind when meeting with clients who want fast, high-quality work.

5. The Job’s Complexity

You may choose to adjust your prices based on the complexity of the work. For example, you may charge less for a short article on a topic you’re familiar with than you would for a long, technical piece. You should always factor in research time when calculating your prices to ensure you receive fair compensation.

Becoming A Freelance Writer

Are you interested in a freelance writing career? Consider signing up for our Becoming A Freelance Writer course. It’ll teach you everything you need to know about launching your freelance business, including how much you could earn. Start your free trial today and see for yourself!