2012 Freelance Income Survey Results--The News is Good

First, thanks so much to the 171 freelancers who have participated in this year's Freelance Income Survey. (Click here for the 2011 survey results and the 2010 survey results.)


In short, the results are promising. Out of the 171 respondents, more than two-thirds (69 percent!) made more money in 2011 than 2010, and 12 precent made about the same amount.


And how much money is that? In 2011, our full-time freelancers grossed the following amounts:

• 16.96 percent made less than $20,000
• 22.81 percent made between $20,000 and $39,999
• 16.37 percent made between $40,000 and $59,999 (including me)
• 15.79 percent made between $60,000 and $79,999
• 12.87 percent made between $80,000 and $99,999
• 15.20 percent broke the six-figure mark, making more than $100,000. 

Breaking those numbers down, more than one-quarter (28 percent) of full-time freelancers made more than $80,000 last year, and a full 43 percent made more than $60,000. That's pretty awesome news, especially compared to the 2011 survey which asked freelancers about their 2010 income:  

• 27 percent made less than $20,000
• 23 percent made between $20,000 and $39,999 
• 22 percent made between $40,000 and $59,999 
• 14 percent made between $60,000 and $79,999 
• 7 percent made between $80,000 and $99,999 
• 7 percent made more than $100,000 

So, overall, freelancers (at least the ones responding to my survey) are making more money. That's great news! Next up, I'll share what kinds of work freelancers are doing, and which types are the most lucrative. 


***Are you a full-time freelancer who's constantly pestered by people who want to know how to get started in the business? (I know I am!) :) Or are you a new to freelancing, and want to make the jump from unpublished newbie to published writer? Check out my new ebooks, Dollars and Deadlines' Guide to: Selling your First Article and Dollars and Deadlines' 10 Essential Freelance Templates. Each is designed for writers who are new to freelancing, and will help you transition from unpublished to published writer.