Hey freelance writer! Or should I say aspiring freelance writer?
If you're a freelancer looking to find out your rates or optimize your fees, you've come to the right place. I'll show you data-driven, up-to-date freelance writer rates for 2025.
Yes, whether you're a book author or a social media poster, you'll get a response.
If you're ready, let's get started!
Average freelance writer rates in 2025
It is difficult to specify a clear average for freelance writer rates. This is because global fees are constantly changing, and each source shows different rates.
I searched multiple reliable sources for you and found the most accurate averages.
Average hourly rate
Let’s talk money. Because that’s what everyone really wants to know.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, writers and authors in traditional roles earn a median hourly wage of $34.75 (as of May 2024). That gives us a general benchmark, especially for in-house or staff positions.
But freelance life plays by different rules.
Payscale data from 2025 puts the average hourly base rate for freelance writers at $28.68, with a median of $15.04. The top 10%? They charge over $51 per hour.
Franklin University also reports similar numbers: a median of $35/hour, with rates ranging from $20 to $71 depending on experience, niche, and specialization.
Official figures say so. But what about real freelancers? Their statements are the real truth.
I did some surfing on Reddit for you.
Freelancers on Reddit and other industry forums regularly share their rates, and they often charge more than what the official stats suggest.
Many experienced writers report charging €85 to €100 per hour (around $90 to $105 USD). But these aren't new writers. They are writers with a long history and a niche.
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Average rate per word
Per-word pricing is one of the most common ways freelancers charge for writing. It’s simple, especially when the project scope is open-ended.
The more you write, the more you get paid. Straightforward for both you and your client.
Let’s say you charge $0.2 per word for general topics. But if the project requires technical research or subject-matter expertise, you can bump that up to $0.5 or more.
To get a clearer picture of what writers actually earn, I pulled insights from a Reddit thread where a user asked fellow freelancers:
“1. What’s your niche?
2. What do you charge per word?
3. How long have you been writing in that field?
4. Where are you based, and where are your clients from?”
Solid questions, right?
The answers reveal just how wide the range can be and what influences it most.
Here’s what came up:
€0.35-0.40 per word or €85-100 per hour
A writer with 10 years of industry experience (2 of those as a freelancer) works with clients in fashion, beauty, and hospitality tech. They charge around €0.35-0.40 per word, or alternatively €85-100 per hour.
For clients, this rate reflects the value of both speed and subject-matter expertise.
A writer who charges $1.25 per word
A healthcare professional-turned-writer leverages their domain knowledge to earn $1.25 per word. This is what specialization can do. When you know your field inside out, clients are happy to pay for precision and authority.
$0.30-0.50 per word without a niche
Not everyone has a niche, and that’s okay. One generalist writer earns between $0.30 and $0.50 per word, covering a wide range of topics.
It’s a reminder that you don’t need to be hyper-specialized to charge decent rates, but you do need consistency, clarity, and a track record.
Average project-based rates
Project-based pricing is a great model for jobs with a defined scope. It typically looks something like this:
- 1,000-word B2B article: $200
- 5 beauty blog posts (500 words each) per month: $300
And so on.
On Reddit, one user shared their rates for writing in the "education" category:
This writer prefers not to charge per word, yet look at what they're earning. They've found a niche for themselves and are making a great living compared to the global average.
Also, keep in mind they've been at it for a few years. That said, a relatively new writer can still earn good money if they specialize in a niche.
Freelance writer rates by experience level
How long have you been a writer? Maybe you're just starting out.
This section will help you figure out your base rate.
Especially if you're new, it's crucial to know the minimum hourly rate you should be asking for. And if you're an expert, never make the mistake of underselling yourself.
To get a sense of freelance writing rates based on experience, I looked at data from Upwork, which provides a range of minimum and maximum prices.
The starting rate for freelance writers (a broad category that includes all writers) on Upwork is approximately $30 per hour. However, this rate may vary depending on your writing field.
For example, according to Upwork, the average hourly rate for content writers is $15-45, while technical writers are listed at $20-45.
Basically, we can break down freelance writer rates by experience level like this:
- Beginner freelance writer: $15-30/hour
- Mid-level freelance writer: $30-40/hour
- Expert freelance writer: $40-50+/hour
Remember, there's no single price or "one size fits all" rate. Your rates can change constantly. As your experience grows, you should always be updating your writing portfolio and rates.
Popular freelance platforms are great for getting started, but they often come with lower freelance rates and high service fees. To earn significantly more in the long run, focus on building your own client base directly.
📌 With Ruul, you can sell services in 190 countries with 140 different currencies for a small commission of 5%. Click here to check it out.
High-stakes writers earn high-stakes rates
Writing about everything for everyone pays poorly. Writers who focus on a specific industry, style, or format typically earn more.
If you are one of these four types of writers, the value you offer will maximize your earnings.
1. Technical writing
Technical writing is not about fluff. You're translating expert knowledge into plain, usable language.
Writers in this field often work on subjects like robotic systems, cloud computing, or cybersecurity.
The stakes are high, and the margin for error is small.
Many technical writers charge an average $0.50. Because they don't write generically, they also comment from an industry perspective.
2. Long-form blog content
Writing a 500-word article is easy. Writing a 3,000-word article that is worth reading is rare.
You sprinkle the magic of words throughout your writing so that people don't leave the page immediately.
And the content you write increases SEO authority, converts potential customers, and educates readers in one go.
If you can write in-depth, structured, well-researched articles on B2B or technical topics, you can earn between $200 and $1,000 per article.
3. Health and wellness writing
Health content comes with a lot of responsibility. You can't just share your own opinions.
Reliable sources and research skills are your greatest assets. Because you're shaping how people think about their bodies, treatments, and decisions.
That's why writers with a medical background who write medical articles can earn $1 per word or more.
Remember what we mentioned earlier? A Reddit user shared that they switched from a job in the medical field to content writing and started earning $1.25 per word.
4. Executive Ghostwriting
Managers are busy. But most of them still have a budget for content that actually drives engagement.
That’s where industry-savvy writers come in. Writers who understand their language, tone, and perspective.
These articles usually end up on blogs or LinkedIn, helping companies build credibility and spark conversations.
Top ghostwriters often work on a project or retainer basis. Think 10 posts or 5 blog articles each month.
Rates depend on the scope, typically ranging from $500 to $1,000 per month… sometimes even more.
Freelance writer rates vary from country to country
Freelance writing rates vary greatly around the world. Sometimes these differences are surprisingly large.
And yes, you need to know these differences well, because they can give you the chance to earn more money.
Let's start with the countries that pay high rates.
Writers in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, and Switzerland typically earn the highest rates.
To be honest, I'm not surprised.
We saw this in comments from Reddit users. Most of those earning high rates said they found their clients in the United States and the United Kingdom.
This is because the cost of living is high in these countries. In addition, clients here are accustomed to paying more for quality content in the B2B and technology sectors.
Language plays a bigger role.
English-speaking writers tend to earn higher rates worldwide. But that doesn’t mean your native language has to be English.
In fact, there’s a growing demand for writers whose first language isn’t English. Many employers value the fresh perspective these writers bring to English content.
Now, about lower pay rates…
Countries like India and the Philippines often see freelance writers starting at around $5-10 per hour. That’s just a reflection of local pricing standards.
But here’s the exciting part:
Many writers in these countries boost their rates by working with international clients who recognize and value their expertise. As a freelancer, you’re not limited by borders—you set your own rules.
Take advantage of global price gaps
If you live in a country with a low cost of living, you earn less than the global average.
But it's easy to turn this around.
How?
Because customers in the US, UK, and Australia are willing to pay more.
Let's say you're a full-time writer in the Philippines. You can work locally for $10 an hour. But... earning $50 or more from a client in New York or Sydney with the same skills? That would be amazing.
Of course, international work doesn't come overnight. You'll encounter currency conversion, VAT questions, invoice templates, and tax documents.
That's why freelancers either spend hours figuring all this out or avoid global clients entirely. But that's a mistake.
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Ruul takes the stress out of cross-border payments.
You can work with clients in 190+ countries and get paid in 140 currencies without worrying about VAT rules or invoice formatting.
You just send your client a secure Ruul payment link. They don’t even need to create an account.
This setup works great for clients too.
They get a professional invoice and a smooth payment experience, without getting lost in conversion rates or international transfer delays.
And with Ruul, you don’t have to be a finance expert to make that happen.
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FAQs
1. How much should I charge as a freelance writer?
Rates depend on experience, niche, and expertise: beginners charge $15–30/hour, mid-level $30–40/hour, and experts $50+/hour. Specialized writers often earn much more.
2. How much do freelance writers make per hour?
In 2025, freelancers average $28-35/hour. Experienced writers earn $50–100/hour, especially in niche or technical fields. Rates vary globally and with client type.
3. How much to charge for 500 words?
500-word articles typically cost between $15- $25, but special topics such as health or technology may cost $50-150 or more.
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