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Earnings

In May 2019, median annual earnings for salaried writers and authors were $63,200 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $33,660, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $122,450 or more. Some specialties pay better than others. For example, writers who work in newspaper, periodical, directory, and book publishing earned mean annual salaries of $63,440, while those employed in advertising, public relations, and related services earned mean annual salaries of $78,200. 

Salary.com reported that digital content writers with up to two years of experience earned median annual salary of $45,856 in October 2020. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $42,090, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $52,770 or more. Full-time bloggers earned an average salary of $33,159 in November 2020, according to glassdoor. Some bloggers earn stipends based on the number of “hits” their blogs receive. Others sell advertising space at their Web sites, which helps them generate revenue. 

In addition to their salaries, many writers earn some income from freelance work. Part-time freelancers often charge by the hour and rates vary based on the project. Fees may range from $42 to $85 an hour for writing Web copy to $45 to $95 an hour for writing newsletters, brochures, or articles. Rate may be as much as $100 or more per hour for writing grants and business proposals. Freelance earnings vary widely. Full-time established freelance writers may earn $50,000 a year or more.

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