It can be difficult to find publications that both pay high end rates and are transparent about the standard fees they pay their writers.
Below is a list of publications that have indicated they pay $2.00 per word for at least some of the writing they publish, or that we have reason to believe that they sometimes pay this rate.
Keep in mind that this type of rate is usually only for writing that requires extensive background work or reporting. Also keep in mind that the below information is our best estimate, and may not be currently accurate.
Hopefully this list will help you learn about which types of publications and categories of writing tend to have higher pay.
Also, keep in mind that these publications often have very high expectations.
Even if you’re new to freelance writing, though, it is still possible to get paid well. That’s part of why I hired Maggie Gigandet to create a pitching course for us. One of her first publications as a freealnce writer was for The Atavist, which is known to pay $6,000 per article. (You can take Maggie’s course with a free Litworth trial here.)
— Jacob
The Blacklight is the New York Amsterdam News’ investigative unit. They are seeking experienced freelance journalists. They primarily work with freelance journalists based in the New York City area but are also open to working with those based outside the region. According to their pitch guide, they pay $250+ for fact checks (500 to 1,000 words, 1 to 2 interviews); $1.00 per word for medium length articles (800 to 1,500 words, 2 to 4 interviews); $2.00 per word or a flat commission fee for long form articles (1,500+ words, 4+ interviews); and $250 to $500+ for data visualizations.
MIT Technology Review is a national magazine in print and digital formats (published 10 times per year). Editors look for original articles on information technology, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and their impact on society. According to their pitch guide, payment is $1-$2 per word, depending on the writer’s experience level, the story, and the publication route.
Epic publishes extraordinary true stories. Their “writers travel the world searching for encounters with the unknown. Wartime romance, unlikely savants, deranged detectives, gentlemen thieves, and love struck killers: stories that tap into the thrill of being alive.” According to an old tweet by their deputy editor, they generally pay $1 to $2 per word. Most of their stories are at least 5,000 to 6,000 words long. To contact them, refer to this page.
The Intercept is a nonprofit news organization that is devoted to holding the powerful accountable through its fearless, adversarial journalism. They are looking for compelling investigative stories or original perspectives on a subject that is in their wheelhouse. They do not list rates publicly, but according to payment reports, they have paid up to $2.08 per word. To read their submission guidelines, refer to this page.
Fortune is “a global leader in business journalism with major franchises including the Fortune 500, Fortune Global 500, 100 Best Companies to Work For, 50 World’s Greatest Leaders, Most Powerful Women in Business, and 100 Fastest-Growing Companies.” A payment report indicates that they pay up to $2.00 per word. To learn more, refer to their pitch guide.
Esquire is a men’s magazine that covers news, politics, style, food and drink, and entertainment. According to a payment report, they paid $2.00 per word for a 3500-word feature. According to an old post by their previous editor, rates start at $500 per piece. To contact them, refer to this page.
Trails is a quarterly, print-only magazine for “backpackers and people who sleep in the dirt.” The focus of the magazine is on “backpacking and other human/naturally-powered means of sleeping outdoors: bikepacking, canoe camping, even things like rafting or mountaineering are fair game.” The main emphasis of the magazine is on North American destinations. They’re always looking for story ideas from writers, photographers, etc. Feature length can be between 1,000 to 5,000 words. According to their pitch guide, they pay writers anywhere from $0.50 to $2 per word, depending on the difficulty of the story, the writer’s experience, and the commitment required. They can pay $35 to $400 per photo.
Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) is a weekly print magazine and an online publication that covers chemistry news. They accept pitches from freelancers for news stories, profiles, features, and occasionally multimedia pieces. Stories must first and foremost be rooted in molecules, but they can cover topic areas that range widely, such as chemical regulation and policy, drug or chemical industry trends, food safety, forensics, biomedical research, space, environment, critter chemistry, and more. According to their editor’s old post, rates for news stories start at $650, briefs at $360, and mid-length reported science features at $2 per word. To contact them, refer to this page.
Wirecutter is a product review site owned by The New York Times Company. They cover electronics, home appliances, travel gear, home and garden tools, kitchen and dining products, money management and personal finance, office gear and supplies, and much more. According to their guidelines, they pay $500 for shorter pieces, $300 for scout reports, and $500 for light updates. More involved updates earn up to $1,500, while new reviews or substantial rewrites range from $2,500 to $4,000. To learn more, refer to their submission guidelines.
Smithsonian Magazine ‘’places a Smithsonian lens on the world, looking at the topics and subject matters researched, studied and exhibited by the Smithsonian Institution—science, history, art, popular culture and innovation.’’ They accept proposals from established freelance writers. When sending in your pitch for a history article, you must supply links to previously published works. While no pay is listed on their website, according to a payment report, they paid $0.23 per word. According to a deleted tweet, their print rates are $2.00 per word. To learn more, refer to this page.