Research / all sectors
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.
Journalists are most commonly dubbed "researchers" in the world of broadcasting. In print media, it tends to be - though is not always - the case that whoever does the research writes it up.
Nevertheless, this is an experimental list of all suggested rates for research, as a database "cross-section" across all publishing and broadcasting sectors. So the editors may be as surprised as you at some of what appears below.
For advice, tips on negotiating, etc, follow the link to the relevant sector from its rates header.
Read me first! Negotiating advice
Uploaded: 2008-05-05; if you have a printout, check the current version at www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/research.html
Reported rates, to compare for Research / all sectors
Researcher| RATES:
Broadcasting / BBC and national TV A: Network television category: see glossary! | ||
|---|---|---|
| The terms of art for kinds of work in national TV are explained in the glossary. | ||
| BBC4 feature - commissioned exclusively, direct by programme, researched reported and edited |  |
728 |
| Feature (commissioned by World Features or direct by programme, researched and edited) | |
485 |
| News package, researched reported and edited (up to 7 min) | |
257 |
| RATES:
Broadcasting / BBC and national TV B: Network radio + World Service news category: see glossary! | ||
|---|---|---|
| The terms of art for kinds of work in network radio are explained in the glossary. | ||
| Feature, researched reported and edited | |
266 |
| Straight piece/despatch researched and reported incl Generic Minute, over 2 min | |
78 |
| Straight piece/despatch researched and reported incl Generic Minute, up to 2 min | |
67 |
| RATES:
Broadcasting / BBC and national TV C: Regional + the nations TV category: see glossary! | ||
|---|---|---|
| Freelances should negotiate starting from these figures - having checked local conditions with the Mother or Father of the NUJ Chapel; the Broadcasting Office will supply contact details to NUJ members. | ||
| Researching - day rate | |
140 |
| RATES:
Broadcasting / Programme support Writing+research | ||
|---|---|---|
| Writing or reporting per 1000 words | |
285 |
| Writing or reporting per day | |
180 |
| RATES:
Online/digital media / Writing+research all | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1000 words - intense research or background required | |
350 |
| Researching links/day | |
220 |
| RATES:
Print media / Books Writing+research | ||
|---|---|---|
| ...and see also the advice section for a discussion of flat fees, which should be negotiated as royalty buy-outs. | ||
| Rate/1000 words | |
275 |
| RATES:
Print media / Magazines category: A: large-circulation and glossy mags | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reporting or researching: per day | |
200 |
| RATES:
Print media / Magazines category: B: smaller consumer mags | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reporting or researching: per day | |
180 |
| RATES:
Print media / Magazines category: C: larger trade and trade union mags | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reporting or researching: per day | |
150 |
| RATES:
Print media / Magazines category: D: smaller mags | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reporting or researching: per day | |
130 |
| RATES:
Print media / National newspapers Writing, reporting and researching category: Newspapers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Page lead, tabloids - sky's the limit, rarely less than | |
700 |
| Splashy features for "qualities", per 1000, from | |
600 |
| Tip-off leading to exclusive or large spread, upward of | |
500 |
| Page lead, for "qualities", per 1000, from | |
400 |
| News, for "qualities", per 1000 words, from | |
280 |
| Ordered news story (eg 300 words) | |
100 |
| Tip-off for news, "qualities" | |
100 |
| Tip-off for diary | |
50 |
| RATES:
Print media / National newspapers Writing, reporting and researching category: Newspapers' supplements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Splashy features for "qualities", per 1000, from | |
700 |
| Per 1000 words | |
300 |
| RATES:
Print media / Regional newspapers Writing, reporting and researching category: Regional daily newspapers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ordered story or feature, bigger papers, per 1000 | |
150 |
| Ordered story or feature, per 1000 | |
120 |
| Page lead | |
70 |
| Lineage equivalent, first 100 words per 1000 | |
65 |
| Lineage equivalent, subsequent words per 1000 | |
50 |
| Tip | |
20 |
| RATES:
Print media / Regional newspapers Writing, reporting and researching category: Weekly/local newspapers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ordered news or feature, per 1000 | |
100 |
| RATES:
Public relations / Writing+research category: High budget | ||
|---|---|---|
| Speech writing: 15-30 mins (include research and briefing) | |
2400 |
| Press releases: per day (include research time) | |
450 |
| RATES:
Public relations / Writing+research category: Low budget | ||
|---|---|---|
| Speech writing: 15-30 mins (include research and briefing) | |
1100 |
| Press releases: per day (include research time) | |
270 |
Generally useful links:
![[www.londonfreelance.org]](gif/nujsma.gif)
Rates for the Job good, bad and ugly
www.londonfreelance.org much more information...
Join the NUJ to get individual advice & representation
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.
Fees Guide home