For years, I’ve been writing this blog and handing out free advice to other freelance content marketing writers based on my observations, my conversations with other writers and with editors, and a little bit based on the occasional freelance writer report that surfaces. But there isn’t a lot of data out there specific to content marketing writing rates. Luckily, I have a great source. As of right now, my Freelance Content Marketing Writer group on Facebook has 3,500+ members from around the world and I’m so lucky that the group is full of friendly, helpful people who want to elevate our profession. 

On a daily basis, writers in the group ask questions and share advice on marketing, pricing, contract negotiation, payment (or nonpayment) issues, and everything else related to running a content marketing writing business. Since there is so much mystery around the income potential for freelance content marketing writers, I decided to conduct a survey in the group, so we could find out what people are really making in different niches. After all, not all niches are created equally. 

I asked writers about their average hourly rate, regardless of how they charge (hourly, per word, or on a project basis) and I also asked people about how much experience they have, since that can also be a big factor in negotiating higher rates. 

I heard from 90 writers across more than half a dozen niches. Some of the results are expected and confirm many of my previous unscientific assumptions. Some might be a bit more surprising. Here’s a breakdown of the results.

1. B2B Technology

It doesn’t surprise me that B2B Technology is the niche with the highest proportion of high earning writers. Of the 90 survey respondents, 24 writers reported working in B2B Tech. Over 80% of those writers reported earning more than $76/hr and 58% are making over $100/hr. 

In this niche, all the writers who responded have more than one year of experience, but the amount of experience they have didn’t seem to correlate to their average hourly rate. Roughly even numbers of writers fell into each of the three experience tiers: 1-5 years, 5-10 years, and 10+ years. 

Almost anyone can become a B2B Technology writer by looking for tech-oriented angles related to their current niches, even if you don’t consider yourself a geek. Check out this post for advice on landing your first tech clip.

2. B2C Healthcare and Medicine 

Twenty of the writers who participated in the survey work in the B2C Health niche, and 85% of them are making over $75/hr. 

When it comes to experience in this niche, it matters. A majority (65%) of writers in this niche have over 10 years of experience, which suggests that content marketing clients are willing to pay more for writers with more experience.

3. Travel

Travel is the third most popular niche in our survey with 13 writers. The average hourly rate is a little lower than the other top-ranking niches, but still offers professional pay. Only 23% of writers in this niche are earning over $100/hr while 62% are making $51-75/hr.

4. B2B Health

The fourth most common niche in our survey was B2B Health. We heard from 10 writers in this niche and 80% of them are earning over $100/hr. 

 

5. B2B Finance/Tax/Insurance 

We heard from nine writers in the B2B Finance/Tax/Insurance niche and two-thirds of them are making $100/hr or more. 

 

So, there’s a look at the top five niches represented by my brief survey of professional freelance content marketing writers. And because I know you’re all curious, I also looked at the rates from a 10,000-foot view, across all niches. After all, people continue to ask if becoming a freelance content marketing writer is a viable career path. Here’s the data to back up what I already know: it is. A vast majority (85%) of respondents are making what I consider a professional rate, which is at least $50/hr. Almost half (48%) are making $100/hr or more. 

I still believe that anyone who really wants to become a high-earning freelance content marketing writer can do it. Finding anchor clients who don’t set off any red flags is one huge key to meeting your income goals. But it takes more than that. You might be getting in your own way so it’s best to check out the reasons writers don’t hit their targets and figure out if you are doing (or not doing) anything to fall short of your goals. And above all, you must have a solid marketing plan in place to grow your freelance content marketing writing business. I have shared an outline on my blog in the past, and my book is a step-by-step guide with all the details you need to bring your goals into reality.

 

What was the most surprising part of these survey results? Are there any questions you’d like to see answered in future surveys?