The Bottom Line

Rates can vary greatly depending on the scope and time frame of the assignment. Still, this gives you an idea and both of us a negotiating point. (And one thing that is firm: the industry standard for a manuscript page is 250 words.)

Editing, basic copy editing, $30-$40/hour (5-10 ms pgs/hr)

Editing, heavy copy editing, $40-$50/hour (2-5 ms pgs/hr)

Editing, website copy editing, $40-$50/hour

Fact Checking, $30-$40/hour

Layout/copy, newsletters/eblasts, $40-$60/hour

Layout/copy, websites, $40-$60/hour

Proofreading, $30-$35/hour (9-13 ms pgs/hr)

Research, $40-$75/hour

Transcribing, $2.50-$4/audio minute

Web Design, $50-$75/hour

Writing, fiction, $40-$50/hour; 20-25 cents/word

Writing, ghostwriting, $50-$60/hour; 25-50 cents/word (includes blog work for a business)

Writing, grants/proposals/sales/PR, $50-$60/hour; 30-95 cents/word (includes website, social media and other ad copy)

Writing, journalism, $40-$50/hour; 25-50 cents/word

Writing, medical, $60-$70/hour; 80-95 cents/word

Writing, technical/trade, $50-$60 hour; 45-55 cents/word