We’re looking at writer income 2023 stats and trends to give professional writers and freelance writers an idea of what’s happening throughout the industry.
Many people wonder if it is worth it to become a freelance writer in 2023, especially with the rise artificial intelligence software and other technology that makes pumping out content easier than ever.
There are many factors that affect overall writing income statistics, such as niche, type of writing, and country. However, there is still valuable trend information and benchmarks we can glean from general data to give us an overall impression of where the industry is at.
Another thing to keep in mind is there are both salaried writing positions and freelance writing options in this analysis. This can have an impact on total income because they’re dealing with two different types of work. However, we will try and keep these separate as much as possible.
How Much Can You Earn As A Freelance Writer in 2023?
While people may joke about being a starving artist or living at the whim of the feast and famine cycle, the truth is that the sky’s the limit for how much you can earn from freelance writing.
Further reading: Survey results: The State of Freelance Writing as of May 2023
The Content Marketing Writer
Writer Income 2023 Stats
There are many freelance writers who don’t earn a living wage from their writing, and there are many reasons for this. Some are doing it as a side-hustle, some are just getting started. However, there are a lot of possibilities and opportunities when you find yourself unshackled from a corporate 9-to-5 job. You can choose how much you work, how much you charge, and when you work. Pretty exciting, right?
More Workers Are Turning to Freelancing in 2023
Whether it is the need for a side hustle or the desire to be in control of your own schedule, freelancing is on the rise. According to a study done by Fiverr, 73% of workers are planning to turn to freelancing this year.
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
There is no doubt that AI is having a huge impact on the writing industry. While there are not a lot of stats (yet) on how much AI is impacting pay or jobs for writers, it has quickly become a welcome addition in many offices and organizations.
There are writers who are concerned that AI will replace human writers, but more seasoned professionals aren’t as threatened. They see AI as a tool to be used, but not something that will take away our need for skilled wordsmiths.
Of course it may change how we work as writers. For example, some people may use AI software to generate an outline or a first draft, but someone will have to give the software prompts, check the output for accuracy, edit for tone, style, and voice, and optimize it for SEO.
The truth is, a lot of clients do not know how to manage written AI work or understand how to make it work for their business (and they likely don’t have the time to figure it out!).
Whether or not you choose to work with AI as a writer, it would be worth it to at least know the basics.
Average Pay for Writers in 2023
At the time of writing this article (August 2023), the US national average for writing wages is $1,196 per week, or, $5,186 per month. That breaks down to give or take about $30 per hour.
Keep in mind, this is writing as a whole, which encompasses many different positions, roles, companies, and skill levels.
When it comes to full-time wages in the US, the average salary for a writer is $66.143.
Writers have the highest salaries in these States:
- Massachusetts
- California
- North Dakota
- Vermont
- Washington
Fun fact: writer salaries at Apple are the highest compared to any other company in America.
In 2015, freelance writers earned an average of $21 per hour, so the jump to $31 per hour is a good sign.
The Best-Paying Salaried Writing Jobs
If you’re curious about which area of writing to get into, here are some of the highest-paying writing jobs and the current annual salary:
The Top Freelance Writing Niches and Types of Content
Elna Cain conducted this survey to discover the best niches for making money. Here are the results:
- Digital Marketing
- SaaS/eCommerce
- Health/Lifestyle
And as for the most popular types of freelance content, this same survey found these are the most lucrative writing types:
- Blog Writing
- Website Copy
- Copywriting
- Email Writing
Future Writing Trends
Yes, learning how to live and work with AI will be important, but it’s not the only trend to watch for in the freelancing world.
For example, more companies are relying on freelancers as hiring has stalled, according to Forbes.
Another interesting stat from this Forbes article is that 33% of US workers feel like freelancing is the less risky option compared to having a traditional job.
Interesting!
Is It Still Worth Becoming A Freelance Writer in 2023?
Overall, yes!
It is still worth it to pursue freelance writing, whether you choose to do it full time or as a side hustle.
While freelancing is a huge term to describe many different types of workers, you should know stats such as Google having more freelancers (54%) than permanent workers (46%).
On average, freelance writers earn around $42,000 US per year. While this may not sound like much to some, keep in mind this is taking into account all types of writing incomes—full time, part time, side hustles, and many different types of writing.
Considering that freelancing is something you can start or stop at any time, and have as many clients as you want (or can handle), it is still a great option to pursue. Plus, improving your communication, writing, and business skills is never a bad idea!
According to findings from a survey of 643 freelancers, 82% of US freelancers are writers and, of that, 24% earn more than $50,000 a year for their freelance writing services.
Ready To Become A Freelance Writer?
If you’re ready to jump into freelance writing, then make sure to check out the Freelance Writers Den!
The Den is an online community created for freelance writers. It helps them grow their income—fast.
It is easier than ever before to become a freelance writer, but only if you have the right tools and tactics at your disposal. The Den will give you that plus so much more. Join today!
