Here are some results from the ProCopywriters survey since 2016.
- Average day rate for copywriting
- Average annual earnings for freelance copywriters
- Preferred pricing models for copywriting
- Gender pay gap for copywriting
- Full ProCopywriters survey results
- More about copywriting prices
Average day rate for copywriting.
I quote a day rate (currently £600) on my Pricing page as a guide, but my preference is to provide a flat project fee.
Good quality writing is hugely valuable. Pay your copywriter what they’re worth.
| Year | Day rate |
|---|---|
| 2020 | £379 |
| 2019 | £349 |
| 2018 | £342 |
| 2017 | £339 |
| 2016 | £337 |
Average annual earnings for freelance copywriters.
The typical freelance copywriter earns a decent salary but isn’t swimming in cash.
| Year | Annual earnings |
|---|---|
| 2020 | £42,792 |
| 2019 | £37,585 |
| 2018 | £45,757 |
| 2017 | £36,012 |
| 2016 | £39,883 |
Preferred pricing models.
Most copywriters prefer flat project fees. This is also my preferred pricing model. Learn more about pricing models
| Year | Flat fee | Per day/hour | Per word |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 62% | 35% | 3% |
| 2019 | 59% | 40% | 1% |
| 2018 | 63% | 36% | 1% |
| 2017 | 58% | 41% | 1% |
| 2016 | 55% | 43% | 2% |
Gender pay gap for copywriting.
This is the reported gender pay gap for freelance copywriters. Not very cool, especially as most of the best copywriters I know are women, though the gap is narrowing at last.
| Year | Men | Women | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | £44,081 | £42,265 | 4% |
| 2019 | £44,876 | £34,310 | 30% |
| 2018 | £52,055 | £41,248 | 21% |
| 2017 | £48,564 | £34,803 | 28% |
| 2016 | £44,753 | £34,865 | 22% |
Full ProCopywriters survey results.
Download past survey results here:
- 2020 ProCopywriters survey
- 2019 ProCopywriters survey
- 2018 ProCopywriters survey
- 2017 ProCopywriters survey
- 2016 ProCopywriters survey
More about copywriting prices.
