Where to look up freelance rates for articles, essays, blogs, and more -
NUJ Rate for the Job (from the National Union of Journalists)
Who Pays Writers lets you search rates by publication
JournoResources put together this list of commissioned rates
IWW Freelance Journalists Union compiled this spreadsheet with rates and contact details
Contently’s Freelance Rates Database
Anna Codrea-Rado is working to close the #FreelancerPayGap - enter the rates you were quoted here and browse rates quoted to other freelancers here
Rahel Aima compiled freelancer years in review here
Sonia Weiser’s “Opportunities of the Week” newsletter usually includes rates (Weiser diligently replies to pitch calls and opportunities on Twitter asking people to share rates). It is paid, but I believe there are options available for those who find the subscription fee steep.
On setting rates
“How Much Should Writers Charge Per Word or Per Project?” by Robert Lee Brewer, Senior Editor at Writer’s Digest
“Asking for More: Negotiating Rates for Freelance Assignments” by Rachel Zamzow, The Open Notebook
How to say “Sorry, I’m not doing that for free” (via Reddit)
Rate transparency
Without getting too preachy, I will say that rate transparency is crucial to growing a sustainable freelance ecosystem. It ensures you don’t get lowballed into getting less than your worth, it prevents freelancer rate discrimination, and prevents you from wasting your time and the editor’s (if the publication’s rate is lower than you expect, say).
If a writer gets in touch with me asking if I can share a contact, I’ll be sure to include what I was paid alongside it. (If I don’t, give me a nudge.)
Also see #FreelancerPayGap - a Google Sheet that compares pay alongside ethnicity, experience, etc.