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Hello all,
first of all, a hearty thanks to everyone who responded to my post! Not only was I given good sources of info, but most people quoted hourly rates for tech writers.
Sources of information on being a freelance tech writers:
-_Making Money in Technical Writing_ by Peter Kent ISBN 0-02-861883-1. Recommended by an independent reviewer.
- The STC Consultant and Independent Contractors SIG web site, http://stc.org/pics/cic/index.html , and mailing list. Most valuable to me was a survey of rates at http://stc.org.pics/cic/feature1.htm .
- http://www.cex.com which is the Contact Employment Exchange
Quoted hourly rates and other pertinent tips:
- $40 - 60 an hour was the general range for tech writers. One quote was $30 - 45 an hour through an agency or W-2, $50 - 150 an hour for incorporated work or when using a 1099.
- A specialty, lots of experience, or more education can notably increase a tech writer's rates.
- Estimate how much to charge by considering that at least one-third of all earnings will go to taxes, and that the money earned may have to last through periods of unemployment.
Thanks again to everyone. I feel a bit braver now.
