Do you know how much writers make on average? Knowing the average wages of your occupation gives you a better handle on how much to charge and where you stand compared to your peers. If you’re a freelancer, you’ll also need to account for your higher tax burden and other factors when setting your prices.
According to CareerOneStop.org, a site sponsored by the US Department of Labor, in 2008, median earnings for writers nationwide were $53,100 per year, or $25.51 per hour. This site lets you view wage info by state and county, too. For example, median wages in California for writers were $67,500 per year, or $32.47 per hour.
How does your writing income compare? Do you know how much you make per hour? If you’re self-employed, are you charging hourly rates that allow you to earn a wage in line with the occupation as a whole while also accounting for your higher tax burden?
