14 Types of Freelance Writing Jobs and What They Pay

If you enjoy writing, freelancing can be a flexible way to build a career creating content for clients, all while working from the comfort of your home, favorite coffee shop, or wherever else you choose. The day-to-day work of a freelance writer varies based on your specialty. Some writers focus on long-form thought leadership or educational content, while others prefer short, sales-driven copy that’s designed to convert.

Once you decide on your niche and the type of writing you want to do, you can start looking for clients and journey into the world of freelance writing. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of being a freelance writer, 14 writing jobs that pay well, and where you can find clients. 

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What is freelance writing? 

Freelance writing is the work of a professional who provides writing services to clients independently, often working with multiple clients on a contract or project basis rather than for a single employer. Freelance writers are self-employed, setting their hourly or per-project rates and negotiating their contracts. They decide which projects to accept and when and where to work. Many work remotely unless their project includes on-site work, such as photography or videography.

How freelance writing works 

Freelance writing can fall into a variety of different niches. Having a specialty can help freelance writers develop their expertise and market their skills. Writers may work on short-form content like ad copy or longer articles and ebooks. Instead of being assigned work by a manager, freelance writers pitch their services to clients either directly or through a platform like Upwork. 

In their proposals, freelance writers determine their hourly or fixed-price rate for the project and establish a deadline for deliverables. As independent professionals, freelance writers can work the hours that suit them best, as long as they meet their deadlines and the project doesn’t require them to be online during specific hours. When working on an hourly contract, freelance writers may need to track their hours and submit them to clients for approval. 

How is AI affecting freelance writing?

Companies are rapidly adopting AI and infusing many of their processes with automation, but still rely on writers for creativity, quality control, and to create engaging content. While generative AI can help with early research or to even create rough drafts of short pieces, it can quickly sound repetitive, robotic, and unoriginal. But for engaging an audience or driving action, quality is more important than quantity; AI can speed up the writing process, but shouldn’t replace writers. 

Writers should use AI as a tool and resource, but should also know its limits. Using AI too often or when it isn’t the right tool can lead to “AI slop” — content that looks fine on the surface, but that is fundamentally flawed. Delivering AI slop to clients can damage their confidence in you, hurt your credibility, and ultimately lead to extra work for both you and your clients. 

The Upwork Research Institute dives into “AI slop” in this episode of their podcast, Work Week: 

Read transcript

How much do freelance writers make? 

Data from The Upwork Research Institute shows that full-time freelancers earn an average of $85,000 per year, which works out to about $41 per hour based on a standard 40-hour workweek. Someone just starting out in their freelance writing career will typically charge less than an expert. Freelance writers with skills that are in higher demand, like business plan or grant writers, may be able to set higher hourly rates. 

"I never ever thought in a million years what I earn in a week or less is what I used to make in a month. It's unbelievable. If I could do it, anyone out there can once they're determined and they're consistent." 

— Vera Cus, Top Rated Plus Executive Assistant 

Pro tip: You can see the hourly rates for other popular skills on Upwork. 

1. Technical writer

Taking technical information and creating a clear user manual, taking jargon-filled research and making it accessible to the average person, and creating jargon-filled content that speaks to other professionals in an industry are the kinds of valuable services that technical writers provide.

Technical writers know how and when to balance conversational and informational writing. A client may have research data they need turned into an information case study for potential partners or customers. Or they may need to prepare a presentation for other industry insiders. Being comfortable moving between the trade-speak and conversational language, while also employing the best practices of crafting engaging content, are key skills. 

Many technical writers specialize in a specific field of technical writing or in a specific industry they are already familiar with. You may need to research on your own to get up to speed and stay current with a client's industry or product. Make sure to let prospective clients know if you have past experience or education in the field. 

Clients need technical writers in a variety of industries, including:

• IT
• Aerospace
• Manufacturing
• Engineering
• Energy
• Medicine
• Education
• Finance
• Biotech

Projects you could work on as a technical writer include:

• Blogs
• Case studies
• White papers
• Medical writing
• Product instructional manuals
• How-to guides
• Policies
• Infographics

‍Pro Tip: Be mindful when applying to academic-related jobs to avoid violating Upwork's policies. Students are not allowed to use independent professionals to assist with homework and papers, as this is considered cheating. 

Find technical writing jobs on Upwork. 

How much do technical writers make? 

Freelance technical writers on Upwork typically charge clients $20–$45 per hour, depending on their level of experience. 

2. Blog writer

Companies look for freelance writers to create articles, blogs, and other website content to drive traffic to their website and position themselves as thought leaders. A blog could be a short blurb on the website or an article anywhere from 2,500 to 5,000 words long, depending on your client. 

Blog writers know how to create long-form content that engages readers, converts visitors, and contributes to the website's overall SEO goals. When writing articles and blogs, you need to be able to dive deep into a topic, keep an exciting tone of voice that matches the client’s brand and style, and strategically add keywords that the client wants to rank for. 

Depending on the client, they may give you a detailed brief or only a title with some suggested keywords, giving you creative freedom in how to turn that into a blog piece. Companies need fresh content regularly; if they like working with you, this could become a recurring opportunity and steady stream of income.

Find blog writing jobs on Upwork. 

How much do web content and blog writers make?

Freelance blog writers on Upwork typically charge clients $15–$35 per hour. 

3. Copywriter

If you prefer to write shorter-form sales-driven content over long-form content, you may enjoy being a copywriter. Copywriters create a variety of marketing and sales content collateral, and are experts at getting the point across and driving sales with limited copy space. Search and social media ads typically have maximum character limits. A copywriter's job is often to create copy that effectively promotes a brand or product in that limited space.

Depending on the type of copy you enjoy writing, you can specialize in certain kinds of copywriting. Some writers prefer to work on more creative brand campaigns, while others want to focus on ads or SEO. Copywriters may have more on-off projects, as individual clients don't need their services regularly, but copywriters on Upwork are in high demand across multiple industries. 

Copywriters strike a balance between storytelling and sales. You need to create authentic copy that targets the right audience and converts them into customers. Consumers are constantly bombarded with sales and marketing materials; successful copywriters know how to write content that stands out and breaks through the noise. 

Examples of copywriting projects include:

• Pay per click (PPC) ads — Google, Facebook, Instagram
• Product descriptions
• Banners
• Pop-ups
• Email
• Landing pages
• Print advertisements
• Radio or TV ads

Find copywriting jobs now on Upwork. 

How much do copywriters make? 

Freelance copywriters on Upwork typically charge clients $19–$45 per hour. 

4. Newswriters

Always ready to get the scoop? Newswriters create stories for news outlets and publications based on the facts and data they can collect or are given. Typically, newswriters have a journalism background, so they know how to find sources, pitch ideas, and write with a journalistic style.

Newspapers, magazines, podcasts, and online news sites hire newswriters, who need to stay up to date with current events and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Compared to other types of freelance writing, newswriters often have the quickest turnaround times and hardest deadlines. Editors or clients want to break the story before their competition, or while a topic is most relevant. 

As a newswriter, you’ll need to know how to find trusted sources, conduct interviews, and fact-check your data. Depending on the type of client, you could work fully remotely or need to travel to pursue leads or attend events. 

Find newswriting jobs on Upwork.

How much do newswriters make? 

Newswriters make from $34–$62 per hour on average, according to Glassdoor. 

5. Business writer

If you enjoy writing corporate and business-level content, consider freelancing as a business writer. Companies look to business writers to take data or ideas and turn them into engaging content for their customers or partners.

As a business writer, you represent the company and must match your client's tone and voice. Some projects may require more persuasive writing, while others are more informational. The documents you create could be internal and used within the company or externally distributed to stakeholders. 

Examples of business writing projects include:

• Employee handbooks
• Company policies
• Business proposals
• Business reports
• Business plans
• Training materials
• White papers
• Case studies
• Internal communications
• Executive summaries 
• Speechwriting
• Presentations

Find business writing jobs on Upwork. 

How much do business writers make? 

Freelance business writers on Upwork typically charge $25–$50 per hour. 

6. Ghostwriter

Ghostwriters create content for their clients without receiving credit as the writer in the byline. Clients may not have the time to write a blog or even a book and instead create an idea or outline and work with ghostwriters to get it done. 

When the article or book is published, it will say the name of the client, not the ghostwriter, as the credited author. You cannot add the articles, blogs, or books you write as a ghostwriter to your portfolio without the client's permission. Because you don’t get credit for your work, ghostwriting projects often pay more. 

Ghostwriters know how to dive into a topic and get up to speed quickly; you may need to write an article or blog for someone who is an expert in their field. Clients look for writers who match their tone, voice, and style so the piece seems written by them.

Common ghostwriting projects:

• Blog posts and articles
• Ebooks
• Nonfiction books
• Fiction books
• Thought leadership content
• Website copy
• Social media posts
• Email newsletters
• Speeches
• Video or podcast scripts

Find ghostwriting jobs on Upwork.

How much do ghostwriters make? 

Freelance ghostwriters charge clients on Upwork $20–$45 per hour, depending on the type of client and project. 

7. Instructional designer

Instructional designers focus on the educational side of writing, creating instructional or training materials. These can be used in an educational setting like a school, or for companies to help train their employees on products or services. 

As an instructional designer, you may write and create content for a variety of different mediums, from an ebook to a script for a how-to video. You may need to take online courses to learn how to build storyboards and develop a curriculum. 

Instructional designers are skilled researchers, and part of your role may be interviewing and learning from subject matter experts and then applying instructional design principles to your work. 

Find instructional design jobs on Upwork. 

How much do instructional designers make? 

Freelance instructional designers typically charge clients on Upwork $20–$45 per hour.

8. Resume writer

One of the first steps to landing a great job is having a resume that stands out and "wows" recruiters. But many people don't know where to start when it comes to writing a resume. Those looking to reenter the job market often need help updating and modernizing their resume, and those who are new to the labor market may need help showcasing the skills and experiences they have. 

People can find resume writing services online, but working with a freelancer offers a more personalized and one-on-one experience. Where resume writing services often use the same template and input their clients’ information with minimal changes, freelancers are more likely to get to know their clients and to work with them one-on-one so that their resume stands out for the type of job the client wants. 

Successful resume freelance writers know how to turn someone's skills and experience into a winning resume that gets interviews. Resume writing often involves formatting along with creating the copy itself. Most people choose freelance resume writers as a one-off service since they only need this help occasionally.

Find resume writing jobs on Upwork. 

How much do resume writers make? 

Freelance resume writers on Upwork typically charge clients $25–$65 per hour.

9. Press release writer

When companies have a newsworthy event, they publish a press release strategically so that it can pick up traction and spread the information to the right audiences. Press releases are short documents, typically limited to one or two pages, that give the who, what, when, where, and why of what's happening. News outlets and blogs then use these press releases to write news stories. 

Press releases get straight to the point and follow a specific format. Many press release writers use a standard template and then fill in the copy for each client. As a press release writer, you may need to conduct interviews to gather information and quotes. 

Sometimes, the client needs to issue a press release quickly, and writers must work under tight deadlines. Press releases can be a part of a crisis communication plan or an official statement and require a carefully crafted response. Some clients will need a one-off press release, while bigger companies may need a few every quarter, which can become ongoing work. 

Common company announcements that require a press release include:

• Product launches 
• Event promotion
• Acquisitions
• Survey or study results 
• Partnerships 
• New initiatives
• Honors or awards
• Rebrands
• Company changes or developments
• Financial results

Find press release writing jobs on Upwork. 

How much do press release writers make? 

Freelance press release writers on Upwork typically charge clients $50–$93 per hour. 

10. Content writer 

Companies of all sizes need content to engage their audiences. When they don't have time to create this content themselves, they turn to independent content writers. As a content writer, you could fill a variety of different writing needs, from social media copy to podcast scripts. 

Content writing tends to be more informative or storytelling-focused compared to copywriting, which is often more sales-driven and brief. As a content writer, your projects might include blog articles, newsletters, video scripts, or educational web content. You’ll need to tailor your tone and structure based on the client’s audience and goals, ensuring content is clear, compelling, and aligned with their brand voice.

Depending on the client, they may ask that you deliver the copy in a Google or Word document, or input it directly into their content management system (CMS), such as WordPress, HubSpot, or Webflow. In some cases, clients may also request that you format the content, add internal links, or optimize it for SEO/AIO before publishing.

Find content writing jobs on Upwork. 

How much do content writers make?

Freelance content writers on Upwork charge clients $15–$40 per hour. 

11. Editor

An editor is a writer's best friend. From developmental edits and outlining before a draft is started, to the proofreading that happens before a piece is published, editors work closely with writers to ensure that a piece is logically sound, grammatical, well formatted, and easy to read. As a freelance editor, you can pick and choose the writers and clients you work with.

Writers need different types of editing depending on the project, client, and their individual skill sets. As an editor, you may find yourself doing more proofreading and catching mistakes for one writer while line editing and improving the tone and voice for another. 

Types of editors include:

• Developmental editors. Guide the book writer through the story-writing process from conception to publishing.
• Structural editors. Work with the author's completed story and focus on the story's arc and structure.
• Copy editors. Fact-check the content and look for any mistakes or lack of consistency.
• Line editors. Focus on the tone and voice of the content, overall clarity, and style.
• Proofreaders. Double-check for any errors and mistakes before publishing.

Think about what you're best at. Are you great with grammar and knowing style guidelines, spotting tiny errors that a writer missed? Or do you want to help someone get their point across and know how to create a story arc? Answering these questions will help you find a niche and connect with the right clients.

Find editing jobs on Upwork. 

How much do editors make?

Freelance editors on Upwork charge clients $15–$40 per hour. 

12. Product description writers

Product description writers know how to create product descriptions that lead to conversions. These product descriptions are typically short, giving writers only 60 to 80 words, including any SEO keywords the client needs, to sell a product. As you specialize and become an expert at this writing style and build your reputation, you can charge more for new clients. 

Companies need product description writers for:

• Web content
• Shopify sites
• Etsy 
• eBay
• Amazon
• Alibaba
• Product packaging

SEO can be a big component of product description writing. Companies look for writers who can add the targeting keywords so the product listing ranks high on Google or an e-commerce site like Shopify or Amazon, but still sounds engaging and natural. 

Find product description writing jobs on Upwork. 

How much do product description writers make? 

Product description writers make $38–$69 per hour, on average, according to Glassdoor. 

13. Email and newsletter writer 

Companies need writers who can create engaging emails with subject lines and preview text that encourage opens and drive action. As an email and newsletter writer, your role is to help businesses reach their goals, whether that’s increasing conversions, keeping customers engaged, or sharing important updates.

Depending on the client, you may deliver just the copy or also help format and design emails using drag-and-drop tools like Mailchimp, HubSpot, or Canva. Being able to design emails in addition to copy can make you a one-stop option for clients. 

Email and newsletter writing can turn into recurring work, since companies often send emails on a regular schedule. When clients are happy with your work, they may ask you to support ongoing campaigns or manage newsletters on a regular basis, which can lead to consistent, repeat projects.

Common email and newsletter writing projects: 

• Welcome emails and onboarding sequences
• Promotional and sales campaigns
• Product launches and announcements
• Ongoing newsletters
• Automated email sequences and drip campaigns
• Trigger campaigns 
• Re-engagement and win-back emails
• Event invitations and follow-ups
• Customer updates and lifecycle emails
• Internal or stakeholder communications

Find newsletter jobs on Upwork. 

How much do email marketers make?

Email marketers charge clients $15–$40 per hour on Upwork. 

14. Script writer 

Script writers turn ideas into clear, engaging scripts that flow naturally when spoken aloud. Companies hire script writers for everything from YouTube videos and podcast episodes to commercials, explainer videos, and AI-generated video content. Clients may come with a rough concept or outline and rely on you to shape it into a compelling script that keeps an audience engaged.

Projects can range from short scripts for ads or social videos to longer-form content like podcast episodes or branded YouTube series. Script writers often focus on pacing, tone, and narrative flow, making sure the message lands clearly and feels authentic. 

Script writers working on AI-generated videos need to be familiar with AI tools and understand how scripts are used with voiceovers, avatars, and text-to-video platforms.

Common script writing projects include:

• YouTube video scripts
• Commercial and advertising scripts
• Podcast scripts and episode outlines
• Scripts for AI-generated or animated videos
• Storylines and narrative concepts
• Product demos and explainer videos

Find scriptwriting jobs on Upwork. 

How much do scriptwriters make?

Scriptwriters on Upwork charge $30–$56 per hour on Upwork. 

Find the best freelance writing jobs on Upwork

When you work as a freelance writer, you get to spend your days doing what you love from wherever you want. Upwork is the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace, where you can find the right type of client to write for, whether you like small startups or established brands. To get started, or further your career, check out these recently posted freelance writing jobs. Build a writing career on your terms by picking the projects that excite you, and making Upwork your new home for work. 

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Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation. Prices are current at the time of writing and may change over time based on each service’s offerings.

The rates and information provided in this article are based on current data and industry sources available at the time of publication. Freelance rates can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, project scope, and market conditions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research to confirm current rates and trends, as this information may change over time.