NUJ Freelance Fees Guide: Print media - Magazines

Please note that the suggested rates below are minima; that rates for copyright works are for limited licences; and that VAT is not included. See notes on negotiating rates and find a freelance.

The rates for words are for their first appearance in a UK magazine, or US as the case may be. If the publisher wants further uses, negotiate.

Read me first! Magazines advice

Uploaded: 2008-05-05; if you have a printout, check the current version at www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/PrMagRat.html

Reported rates, to compare for Magazines

The suggested rates (know a better rate? tell us!)

NUJ members discuss rates etc for writing

NUJ members discuss rates etc for shifts in general

RATES: Magazines category: A: large-circulation and glossy mags

Writing, per 1000 - prestige US magazines from $3 a word		1500
Writing, per 1000 - generic US magazines ($1/word)		500
Writing, per 1000 words		500
Acting as editor on publication: per day		320
Section or production editor: per day		230
Reporting or researching: per day		200
Sub-editing and production: per day		160

RATES: Magazines category: B: smaller consumer mags

Writing, per 1000 words		375
Acting as editor on publication: per day		250
Section or production editor: per day		200
Reporting or researching: per day		180
Sub-editing and production: per day		155

RATES: Magazines category: C: larger trade and trade union mags

Writing, per 1000 words		290
Acting as editor on publication: per day		210
Section or production editor: per day		160
Reporting or researching: per day		150
Sub-editing and production: per day		140

RATES: Magazines category: D: smaller mags

Writing, per 1000 words		230
Acting as editor on publication: per day		165
Section or production editor: per day		145
Sub-editing and production: per day		130
Reporting or researching: per day		130

Notes:

Category D magazines cover a multitude of sins, down to those that are either very small or very stingy (not mentioning any New Statesmen in particular). The above are decent rates for words contributed that are achievable from many magazines. But some get away with paying £150 per thousand - especially those that hold a virtual monopoly on a specialist field or where the field is infested with enthusiastic amateurs.

See: Kill fees for commissioned articles

See: Design / Magazines

See: PR / Writing harder work, higher rates

Notes:

Freelances paid a day rate risk being taxed at source and paying National Insurance as an employed person, though this can be challenged - see Shift payments - tax and time off.
Writing on a day rate may have implications for copyright. NUJ members should see Rights and why they are important and check with the Freelance Office.
Note that many small-circulation specialist mags pay rates in line with category C, or category B if their readership is particularly influential. A newsletter distributed to a handful of Chief Executive Officers who know that the subject is important, but not what it is, may pay silly money to a writer who does know what it is.
Contract publishers may pay considerably more for work used in a given category of magazine than direct publishers would - for example £700 per 1000 words for work that appears in a Category B magazine. See Advice on Magazine work.
Some magazines get away with paying less for sub-editing shifts. But they shouldn't.

Find a freelance

Agreements

Agreements affecting Print media / Magazines

Code of practice for commissioning journalists

Generally useful links:

The National Union of Journalists must not, can not and would not wish to dictate rates or terms of engagement to members or to editors. The information presented here is for guidance and as an aid to equitable negotiation only.

Suggestions apply to contracts governed by UK law only. In any event, nothing here should be construed as legal advice.