Calculate fair copywriting rates by project type and experience. See per-word, hourly, and project rates. Free copywriter calculator.
Copywriting rates range from $0.02 per word on content mills to $500+ per hour for top direct response copywriters. The enormous range reflects equally enormous differences in output quality and business impact. Our calculator shows fair rates by project type, experience level, and copywriting specialty so you charge what your skills are worth.
Standard US copywriting rates: Blog post (1,000-1,500 words): $150-$500 beginner, $500-$1,500 experienced. Email marketing campaign (3-5 emails): $300-$600 beginner, $800-$2,500 experienced. Landing page: $500-$1,000 beginner, $1,500-$5,000 experienced. Sales page (long-form): $1,000-$3,000 beginner, $5,000-$25,000 expert. Website copy (5 pages): $1,500-$3,000 beginner, $4,000-$15,000 experienced. Social media content (monthly retainer): $500-$1,500/month.
Rate structure comparison: Per word: $0.05-$0.50+ per word. Simple at first glance but rewards slow writers for wordiness. Hourly: $25-$150+/hour. Problematic if client second-guesses hours. Project rate: best for experienced copywriters — rewards efficiency, predictable for client. Most experienced copywriters transition to project rates once they can estimate time accurately. Avoid per-word rates for persuasive copy where quality matters far more than quantity.
Copywriter hourly rates by experience: Beginner (0-2 years): $25-$50/hour. Intermediate (2-5 years): $50-$100/hour. Experienced (5+ years): $100-$200/hour. Direct response specialist: $150-$500+/hour. Content strategist with SEO expertise: $75-$150/hour. Agency copywriter salary: $45,000-$80,000 base. Senior agency copywriter: $80,000-$130,000 base. Freelance earnings typically 30-50% higher than salary equivalent per billable hour.
Yes — with important nuance. AI tools have changed demand for commodity content writing but increased demand for strategic, persuasive, and nuanced copywriting. Skills that remain valuable: brand voice development, direct response copywriting, email marketing strategy, conversion copywriting backed by customer research. Skills being commoditized: basic blog post writing, product description writing, straightforward informational content. Focus on persuasion and strategy, not just writing.
Client acquisition for new copywriters: Start with your network — announce services to everyone you know and ask for referrals. Guest post on industry blogs for exposure. Cold email small businesses in your niche with a specific offer. Job boards: ProBlogger, Contently, LinkedIn Jobs, We Work Remotely. Build a niche — copywriter for SaaS, health, finance, e-commerce. Specialization commands 2-3x the rates of general copywriters.
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