As a freelance technical writer, it is important to charge enough for your services so that you can make a profit. If you are considering freelance technical writing work, it’s important to determine your rate before diving in. Factors such as experience, industry expertise, and job complexity will help you decide on an accurate rate for your services. But how do you know what the right rates are? Here are four essential tips to help you determine the best freelance technical writing rates.
According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a technical writer in the United States is $ 71,637/yr, while in India it is ₹650K/yr.
Tips for Calculating the Right Freelance Technical Writing Rates
When it comes to setting your freelance technical writing rates, it’s important to make sure that you’re charging enough to make a profit. But how do you know what the right rates are? Here are four tips to help you calculate the right rates for your freelance technical writing services:
Have a Clear Understanding of Your Skillset and Experience.
Knowing your worth is important when it comes to freelance technical writing, and that begins with having a clear understanding of your skillset and experience. If you’re just starting out, you may not be able to charge as much as someone with more experience. But as you gain more experience and skills, you can start to charge more for your services. Consider the expertise you have in the subject area, any specializations or certifications you have obtained, and if there have been any recent projects completed with favorable results. Taking an honest assessment of yourself will provide valuable insight into what rate you can reasonably expect for work performed.
Some of the technical writing skills tend to fetch more money based on their demand in the market. For example, experience with some of the technical writing tools, such as Confluence, Madcap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker, and Oxygen XML Editor, increases your chances to get more freelancing projects and also get higher freelance technical writing rates.
Research the Current Market Technical Writing Rates.
To ensure you are charging a competitive and fair rate, research the market rates of other technical writers. You should look at what other freelance technical writers are charging and set your rates accordingly. You don’t want to charge too much or too little. Check online job boards, ask your professional network, and use salary data websites to compare your rate with industry standards. You can also call up local recruiters and staffing agencies to get an idea of their current pay scales. Be sure to keep track of any differences in rates based on region and/or experience level.
Calculate Your Expenses and Taxes.
Before you set your rate, be sure to account for the costs associated with your work. Not only should you include expenses like hosting fees and website visits, but also taxes! Planning ahead for tax season will ensure that you don’t miss any deductions. Additionally, factoring in business-related costs such as a co-working space or equipment will help you calculate the right freelance technical writing rate. This includes things like office space, equipment, and technical writing software. You should also factor in your time and the cost of your materials. Once you’ve calculated your expenses, you can add a profit margin to arrive at your rates.
Know What the Market is Paying
One of the best ways to determine your freelance rate is looking at what other technical writers are charging for similar content. Check out job boards, local and national platform websites, speaking engagements or any other sources you can think of. You can also look to see if anyone is offering different packages or levels based on length, type, or quality of the work they do. Knowing the market rate will show you what your rate should be and give you an idea of any abnormalities that might require additional research into their services.