What is the average Freelance Writer salary in Chicago, IL?
Freelance Writers in Chicago earn a median of $77,500 per year — about 6% above the national average. Pay ranges from $55,800 (25th percentile) to $120,100 (90th percentile).
Freelance Writer salary by experience level
How Chicago pay compares
Cost-of-living adjusted is the Chicago salary translated into equivalent purchasing power vs the US average (COL index 100). Useful for comparing offers across cities.
5-year salary trend
Trend extrapolated from BLS May 2024 BLS OEWS OEWS data using the latest year-over-year growth rate of 3.9%.
Freelance Writer job market in Chicago
Chicago's economy is anchored by finance, manufacturing, and a growing tech scene. Salaries are competitive without the coastal cost of living.
An estimated 9,400 freelance writers work in the Chicago metro. Daily responsibilities typically include:
- Research and write articles
- Pitch new clients
- Edit and revise drafts
- Invoice clients
- Manage editorial calendars
Related job salaries in Chicago
Freelance Writer salary in other cities
FAQ
How much does a Freelance Writer make in Chicago, IL?+
Freelance Writers in Chicago earn a median of $77,500 per year — about 6% above the national average of $73,150.
What's the entry-level Freelance Writer salary in Chicago?+
Entry-level Freelance Writers in Chicago typically earn around $50,400 per year. Salaries scale to about $112,400 at the senior level with 8+ years of experience.
Is $77,500 a good Freelance Writer salary in Chicago?+
$77,500 is the median, meaning half of Freelance Writers in Chicago earn more and half earn less. Adjusted for the city's cost-of-living index of 107, that's roughly $72,400 in nationally-equivalent purchasing power.
How fast is Freelance Writer pay growing in Chicago?+
Freelance Writer salaries in Chicago grew about 3.9% year-over-year in the latest BLS data. The 10-year national outlook for this role is +4%.
Where do Freelance Writers in Chicago get paid the most?+
The 90th percentile Freelance Writer salary in Chicago is around $120,100. These typically include senior, lead, or specialist roles at major employers.
Are you being paid fairly in Chicago?
Run a free comparison against BLS data — see if your salary is below, at, or above the Chicago median.
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