Money Talk: How Much Do Freelance Copywriters Make?

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A 6-figure copywriter’s perspective on what is realistic.

Money. So taboo yet essential to discuss. If you’re thinking about getting into copywriting - or leaving your day job to be a full time copywriter - let’s talk about the pay potential.

You’ll need to know what freelance copywriters make so that you can be competitive and ask for what you’re worth. 

In this post, I’ll answer several copywriter pay FAQs to help you determine if it’s the best choice for you.

Before we move on, please note that this information isn’t a guarantee that you will make the same amounts discussed. In the end, it’s all about your hard work and hustle. 

Do Copywriters Make Good Money?

They certainly can. In fact, the whole reason I was drawn to copywriting was because I saw a Filthy Rich Writer ad that said “I hit 6-figures during the 2008 recession.”

There was no way I could make that in my healthcare career. Then, when I snooped around the Filthy Rich Writer website, I saw this headline: This teacher replaced her income within 6 weeks of copywriting.

So naturally, I was extremely intrigued. 

Turns out, I left my career as a licensed healthcare professional to pursue copywriting. Not only did I find copywriting to be more fun, but I could also reliably work from home - and the pay potential was outrageously better. 

Here’s my headline: April 2020 I became a copywriter. August 2022 I became a 6-figure (per year) copywriter. 

What is a Freelance Copywriter’s Low-End Income?

Even if you only have time for one small project per month, that one project could be $100s or $1000s.

Copywriters who know how to write copy don’t need to beg clients to hire them for cheap rates. Copywriters make businesses money, and that’s invaluable. 

Read This: A Writer’s Transition Guide from Cheap Gigs to Amazing Income

With the right clients, you won’t be working at content mill rates for pennies per word. 

According to Salary.com, the low end (25th percentile) of a copywriter’s income is $48,801. This equates to about $23.50/hr. However, keep in mind that this was “HR-reported data,” and may have nothing to do with freelancers. 

For reference: One of my first hourly copywriter jobs was set at $40/hr. My very first project (with no clients under my belt) was about $600 for a few webpages. 

What is a Freelance Copywriter’s High-End Income?

Well, I already mentioned that copywriter Nicki Krawczyk has been making 6-figs since 2008 (she now runs a 7-fig business).

And others are too. See this 6-figure copywriter interview of a former student. 

When you look at the range provided by Salary.com, they say the top 10% of copywriters make $87,931 per year. I believe $88,000 for the top 10% of copywriters is very low. 

Many, many copywriters are making 6-figures, at rates between $120-200/hr. We’re talking $120K, $150K, even $200K. 

Then you also have to take into account how much work these copywriters are actually doing. Some of them are 6-figure copywriters and do not work full time.

I don’t work full time with an infant! When my son turned 7-8 months, I was lucky if I could work 15 hours per week. But I still had 5-fig months!

Important Income Considerations for Freelance Copywriters

These topics below could be their own blog posts, but I want to briefly mention them here.

Yes, copywriters can make very good money. However, here are some things that can and will eat into your income. 

Taxes on Freelance Copywriters

I am not a tax expert, nor should any of this information serve as tax advice or legal advice for you. However, in the US, taxes for freelancers are steep. In many cases, you have to pay into Social Security, Medicare, etc. after you get paid. 

This is usually done via quarterly tax payments and/or a lump sum at tax time.

In all my years of freelancing thus far, I’ve never gotten a tax refund. In fact, I’ve had to fork over multi-thousands of dollars four times per year. Some checks in the ballpark of $8-9K each!

You’ll also have to pay both portions of a self-employment tax. When you work as an employee, the employer usually covers half of that tax. But as a freelancer, you’d have to cover everything… and it’s like 15% of your adjusted income or something crazy!

To give you some perspective: When I was married filing jointly, with no dependents and no property, our household income was about $120K. The taxes were around $25K. Ouch!

Instability in Freelance Copywriter Pay

It’s a risk we all take as freelancers. You’re not always sure how much you’ll make that month. Some months you rock out with a 5-figure total, and others are lower.  

Luckily, this instability should not deter you from getting into freelance copywriting! Consistent cold pitching, especially at the start of your career, will help you land work.

Read This: A Not-So-Scary Cold Pitching Guide

Expenses to Become a Freelance Copywriter

Unlike being an employee where all of your equipment will be covered, freelance copywriters have to front the cost of their computer, website, education - and whatever else they need to run their business. Luckily, many of those items can be deducted from your taxes!

Royalties and Rush Fees

Let’s end on a positive. A cool thing about copywriter pay is that sometimes you run into some pretty good agreements with your clients. 

Sometimes royalties can be negotiated - in addition to what you get paid for writing the copy. Even a 1% royalty for $1M in sales equates to $10,000!

Another big money maker? Rush fees.

Being a mom, I prefer to have my calendar set weeks in advance. But… sometimes clients need a fast turnaround, and rush fees come into play. Rush fees can vary anywhere between 25-100% of the project value. So naturally, you can make $1000s in rush fees alone.

Wondering how to price your projects once you become a freelance copywriter? Check out my post about how to price your copywriting services!

Heads Up, Writers!

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Heads Up, Writers! (Read Below)

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