Are you curious about the state of writing as a profession? Or perhaps you’re looking to break into the writing industry and want to learn more about its potential.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most interesting statistics associated with writers, from average salaries to industry trends. We’ll also provide tips on how you can use these facts to your advantage as you pursue a career in writing. So whether you’re an aspiring or established writer, this guide has something for you!
✍️ Writing Industry Overview
- The number of writers in the United States has increased by 8% since 2011, reaching 44,240 in 2020.
- The median author and writer pay, as recorded by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was $67,120 per year or $32.27 per hour in 2021.
- In 2021, the median household income was $67,521 per year, and the average author and writer had earned just $401 less than the average household.
- The job outlook for writers indicates that about 15,400 new job openings will be available in the United States each year, which suggests that now could be the ideal time to start your career as a writer.
💰 Freelance Writer Salary
Freelance writers are typically paid per deliverable, receiving a flat rate for an article or word for a specific amount of words. Some freelance writers charge an hourly rate, but this is uncommon as it is a more abstract metric.
- The range of freelance writer pay varies greatly, with some writers providing content for content mills earning $0.01/word and others working for prestigious publications and receiving $1+ per word.
- According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual freelance writer salary in the United States is $63,213 per year, and the average hourly rate is $30 per hour.
💵 Content Writer Salary
Content writers are writers who produce content for online publications, either as a freelancer or as in-house writers.
- The content writer’s salary in the United States varies from $50,109 per year to $51,890 per year, and the average hourly wage is $24/per hour. According to ZipRecruiter, these figures are consistent across the country.
🔍 SEO Writer Salary
An SEO writer produces content designed to rank at the top of Google’s search results for a specific keyword.
- Salary.com reports the average annual SEO writer salary in the U.S. to be $48,994.
- The lowest-earning 10% of SEO writers take home an average of $40,068 per year. Meanwhile, the highest-earning 10% of SEO writers receive an average of $57,600 per year.
✍️ Copywriter Salary
A writer who specializes in creating copy for various purposes, such as selling products and services on social media sites like Facebook and landing pages, is referred to as a “copywriter.”
- Salary.com reports the annual copywriter salary in the United States to range from $47,742 per year to $59,523 per year, with an average of $52,839 per year.
💻 Technical Writer Salary
A writer that specializes in technical subjects such as programming, software engineering, and cybersecurity is a technical writer.
- The entry-level technical writer’s salary averages $58,700 per year.
- The intermediate technical writer’s salary can be expected to reach $70,100 annually.
- The senior technical writer’s salary averages $88,300 per year. The typical salary range for senior writers varies greatly, from a low of $80,000 per year to a high of $97,300 per year. However, the top 10% of senior technical writers earn an average of $105,494 per year.
👻 Ghostwriter Salary
Individuals employed as ghostwriters create content under another person’s name, such as writing an autobiography in the name of a celebrity.
- According to Salary.com, the average annual ghostwriter salary in the United States is $38,680 per year.
- The lowest-paid 10% of ghostwriters earn an average of $24,057 per year. The highest-paid 10% of ghostwriters earn an average of $62,243 per year.
📝 Content Marketer Salary
In theory, all types of content can be considered “content marketing.” While in practice, written content, such as blog posts, email newsletters, and social media posts, is the primary form of “content marketing.”
- The content marketer’s salary in the United States, as reported by ZipRecruiter, is $54,762 annually, and the average hourly rate is $26.
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✍️ Final Words
Freelance writing is an increasingly popular career choice and with good reason. Freelance writers have the freedom to work remotely, set their own hours, and specialize in any number of topics. Moreover, they can reach a global audience with their work.
Statistics show that freelance writers are in high demand, with the majority of businesses using freelancers for at least some of their content needs. Knowing the latest freelance writer statistics can help you make informed decisions when it comes to finding freelance opportunities or marketing your services. If you’re looking to break into the freelance writing industry or advance your current career, understanding these stats can give you valuable insight into the industry and its potential for success.
