NUJ Rate for the Job: Crosswords

Updated: 2025-07-09

These rates have been reported by members of the National Union of Journalists and others, and printed in the Freelance, newsletter of London Freelance Branch. They are sorted by publisher/publication, then by date (most recent first). TIP: Use the "Find in page" command under your browser's "Edit" or "Search" menu to be sure of finding all occurrences of a publication/publisher. AND do note the year in which the rate was reported! See also the Freelance Fees Guide, which gives general recommendations. And read the disclaimer and the key to exactly what the entries mean.

Crosswords / all If you are interested, the archived rates are here.
Tell us what you've been paid for Crosswords / all		Freelance Fees Guide
Publication / Programme - details & terms	Group	Year		Total paid	GR	XXXX
Guardian genius	_GMG	2025		236.78	HA
Guardian prize crossword	_GMG	2025		215.26	HA
Guardian cryptic	_GMG	2025		204.49	HA
Guardian quick crossword	_GMG	2025		43.05	HA
Puzzle book (Igloo Books) full production, typesetting and design all rights assigned to company		2005		2500.00		X
Series of children's books, payment per book compiling crosswords and other puzzles, 2-3 for each title of 12 in the series flat fee for all rights, no other exes paid		1995		75.00		X
Small Regional Paper themed crosswords once a month, each		2004		50.00
Small regional weekly newspaper themed crosswords, two per month - to be reviewed in Jan 2004		2004		50.00		X
Specialist magazine 13x13 themed cryptic crossword, monthly		2013		80.00		X
Key to the rates, by column:
1 Publication / Programme, any details of work and licence
2 Owner at the time the rate was reported, where known	Group
3 The year in which the rate was reported		Year
4 Currency: either or or (US)
5 Amount paid (total of basic licence and extra licences for web use, database resale...)				Amount
7 "Going Rate" according to experienced NUJ members - do try to better it:					GR
or Minimum rate set out in NUJ House Agreement:					HA
8 Underpaid, in the fallible opinion of the Freelance editor:				50.00		X
or Just sometimes we're pleasantly surprised:				1500.00		O

Other rates:

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Freelance Fees Guide home page

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