This is the 2021 report. The latest results are from
2026.
See the latest survey →
Copywriter Survey
› 2021
Copywriter Survey 2021
561 respondents · Fieldwork Summer
561 UK copywriters told us how they worked through the pandemic. Rates and earnings rose, but the gender pay gap grew sharply.
Download the full report (PDF)Copywriter Survey
2021
561 UK commercial writers
Headline findings
£387
average freelance day rate
Day rates
Rates keep rising
The average day rate rose to £387, from £379 in 2020. Copywriters aged 60 and over charged the most, averaging £503.
£379 in 2020
£49,675
average full-time freelance income
Earnings
Freelancers earn more
Full-time freelancers averaged £49,675, up from £42,792 in 2020. Part-time earnings rose slightly too.
£42,792 in 2020
35%
freelance gap, men over women
Gender pay gap
The gap reopens
The freelance gender pay gap widened to 35%, from 4% in 2020. The report points to caring responsibilities that fell on women during the pandemic.
4% in 2020
73%
say the pandemic hurt their mental health
Wellbeing
The cost of Covid
73% said the pandemic had at least some negative effect on their mental health. Even so, 72% felt optimistic about the year ahead.