When an individual is passionate about content writing and looking for career options, good perks and salaries play a major role in the decision-making. The wide variety of roles available under the umbrella of writing and their market demand determine the incentives. In this field, incentives are not decided based on the effort one puts in, but rather on the value addition one brings to the company.
Types of Content Writers
Some of the common types of content writing posts are as follows:
- Blog writer- Writes engaging and SEO-friendly articles
- SEO content writer- Creative articles focusing on improving the SEO for better rankings.
- Ghostwriter- A freelance writer, in general, writes articles without credit
- Web Content Writer- Writes web page content for various websites
Designation Wise Salary Range
Based on the type and experience of content writers working in Indian organisations, one can expect an average salary range per month as shown below:
| DESIGNATION | FRESHERS’ SALARY RANGE (INR) | EXPERIENCED SALARY RANGE (INR) |
| Freelance Content Writer | 15,000-25,000 | 30,000-50,000 |
| Full-Time Content Writer | 20,000-30,000 | 40,000–60,000 |
| Technical Content Writer | 25,000-35,000 | 50,000-80,000 |
| Senior Content Writer | 30,000-40,000 | 60,000-1,00,000 |
| Copywriter | 25,000-40,000 | 40,000-60,000 |
| Email Writer | 15,000-25,000 | 30,000-50,000 |
Factors Determining Content Writers’ Salary
To get an idea of a Content writer’s salary, it is important to know the factors or variables to consider in improving the incentives.
Experience
Prolonged exposure to the writing industry enhances credibility, speed, and a comprehensive understanding of content writing. Experienced writers can add more value than a novice who requires mentorship, guidance, and multiple rounds of proofreading.
Length
It is a structural factor that ranges from large articles to two-word taglines. The large articles require extensive research and a deep understanding of the topic, while the shorter ones should be eye-catching and creative. Copywriters who create short brand copy are well compensated due to their significant market reach.
Research
Content writing in a new area requires thorough research and time to publish. They are similarly highly compensated. However, many writers have abundant resources or produce reiterations of existing content with a different writing style to cater to new audiences.
Specialisation
If one is an expert in a particular content writing field, one will get an edge over other content writers. Expert, as if one has done studies, research, or work in this field. However, a versatile content writer with research, the right guidance and approach can match an expert’s work.
Credibility
Based on creditworthiness, content writers can be classified as named and unnamed( often referred to as ghostwriters). Articles credited to the writer typically earn more than those written by ghostwriters. Because the writer assumes responsibility for the article and is liable for future discrepancies. Ghostwriters work under the name of an organisation or a single writer and remain unacknowledged.
Salary Comparison: India vs International
According to Payscale data, the average median salary of a content writer across major countries is compared. The data are also adjusted according to the countries’ purchasing power parity(PPP) in Indian currency for a perfect comparison.
| COUNTRIES | AVERAGE MEDIAN SALARY PER YEAR | ADJUSTED MEDIAN SALARY PER YEAR (INR) |
| India | ₹8,18,072 | 8,18,072 |
| United States | ＄54,313 | 10,97,261 |
| China | ¥160,461 | 8,91,323 |
| Russia | ₽972,758 | 7,36,864 |
| France | €39,991 | 11,27,388 |
| Germany | €42,388 | 11,67,966 |
| Australia | ＄70,789 | 10,44,289 |
| UAE | UAE 155,548 | 13,27,994 |
Why India is Lagging Behind
It is evident from the above data that Indian content writers are not suitably rewarded compared to leading countries. The major reasons are as follows:
- A Dip in the salaries of entry-level content writers due to a high supply
- Unorganised pricing in the sector where freelancers agree to work for less pay
- Companies often lack awareness that the return on investment in content writing is long-term, and writers fail to convey this.
- Quantity is preferred over the quality of the content by companies to stay visible on the internet.
- Until a specialisation or expertise is proven, a content writer is undervalued.
Growth Prospects
Some of the following measures can be adopted to improve the salaries of Indian content writers in comparison to other countries:
- Categorisation and training in high-demand niches like health, finance, technology, etc.
- Backed by robust organisations like Wabbithire, to upskill and produce quality content writers
- Strong networking among the writers to organise the pricing system or salaries of writers
- Working on content strategy, data analysis and SEO tools like Semrush, Google Analytics, etc. to project value addition to the companies
- Build recurring streams through the clients on board, like maintaining social media content and newsletters.
About the Placement Program
Wabbithire is a trusted platform for many new-age aspiring content creators. It provides a well-crafted content writing mentorship programme with placement assistance. Access to a strong network of content writers and organisations ensures a strong entry point. Passionate writers looking for a head start in the industry can enrol in the programme here.
Conclusion
This article showcases the salaries of content writers and the factors determining them while discussing growth prospects. As a fresher, there are challenges in obtaining projects, and the incentives are low. However, by building a strong brand trust, along with writers’ networking and upskilling, the sky is the limit. These improvements will ensure that India’s position aligns with that of other countries regarding the salaries of content writers.
The platforms, like Wabbithire, provide a head start for passionate writers to start their careers through our exclusive content writing mentorship program. For more details, click here.
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