It really depends on the circulation rate: I also work for a small regional magazine, earning about 10 cents per word. I keep the assignment because it’s a monthly column (guaranteed work) and I truly enjoy working with the editor. If this were a national magazine, I would expect a much higher rate of pay.

I do my best to keep overhead low for these assignments and focus on time management. While my “per word” pay is low, I’m still making about $30 per hour. Much better than minimum wage… and not too bad for our low cost of living area.

It’s all relative, really! Does this assignment meet your goals and objectives? My goal is to enjoy my work and life while still paying the bills, so I’m happy to keep the relatively “low” pay.

As a magazine writer for several different pubs, I would say that rate is below low. 50 cents a word is decent, some pubs pay $1 a word, and anything less than 25 cents a word is subpar. I’ve taken on some of the lower paying work due to cash flow issues (daughter with high medical costs), but only to fill in holes around other items.

That being said, if a pub has gotten by with certain rates, they’re unlikely to raise them. The pubs I write for have never increased rate, despite rising costs of living. So I’m always looking for opportunities that enable me to do higher paying work (typically corporate).

However, if you’re relatively new to the business, it might be hard to command more. I was writing for more than 20 years (15 as an employee) before getting some of the better paying gigs.

Thanks again!

While I don’t write for magazines at the current moment, that pay rate sounds very low compared to what I’ve heard from other magazine writers. I’m also aware that web content writers usually command much lower rates than print publishing writers, so again, I’d say that’s low.

The question of shut up and take the money is one you have to answer. I’d say, though, that if you’re already feeling dissatisfaction, you know that you’re being poorly compensated for what you’re giving.

But! Are you willing to lose that client if you do decide to ask for better pay? That’s the most important question to ask yourself.

And I hope other magazine writers will chime in here… come on, guys, help me out!

Can I get some feedback on pay and the “asking for a raise” dilemna?

I am writing for a magazine that is distributed free and has a circulation of over 40,000. I seem to have become a main writer for the mag (the last issue had three of my articles in it). I have been writing for the publication for a couple of years now (bi-monthly).

I am getting paid .10 cents a word, which seems to average – when I time myself for a piece – about $10 an hour – usually less – (with research and etc.). Mainly, I feel I am not getting what my work output deserves; in addition, there is my apparent “feature writer” status, though that is secondary.

I am given 1-2 assignments every issue (bi-monthly), I am paid in a timely manner, so I tell myself maybe I should just shut up and keep going…

I would like to at least get .15 cents a word, but am a little intimidated.

Any thoughts and feedback will be appreciated!