The editor of my local paper, the St. Augustine Record, has accepted
my proposal to write a regular column to be entitled "Computer Tips &
Tricks." I now want to be able to propose a reasonable and specific
fee per column. How should I decide upon an hourly $ rate on which to
base such a proposal?

Hello nautico,

First of all, congratulations on this assignment!

As you might expect, the answer to "What is a reasonable rate for a
freelance journalist" is to a large degree: "It depends".  A person's
educational background, work experience, and special knowledge of the
topic, as well as the size and location of the publication and its
ability to pay, might potentially factor into an appropriate rate. 
Moreover, some publications may prefer to charge -- and some freelance
journalists may prefer to bill -- per word rather than per hour
(although the final article I cite below recommends per hour).

For a column for a local paper, Writer's Market lists $40 per hour as
the low end, $125 per hour as mid-range, and $300 per hour as the high
end.  It indicates that the rate depends on circulation.

"How Much Should I Charge? - Newspapers", by Lynn Wasnak
Writer's Market
http://www.writersmarket.com/content/howmuch9.asp

As for rates per word, one article says that $1 per word is the rule
of thumb, while another states that $1 per word should be, but isn't
always, the minimum.

"Jumping From Journalism", by Michael Abrams (October 2002)
Society for Technical Communication - San Diego Chapter
http://www.stc-sd.org/newsletter/october_2002/feature.htm

"Report on Pay Rates for Freelance Journalists" (Last Modified: June
1, 2002)
National Writers Union
http://www.nwu.org/journ/minrate.htm

Since you are in a relatively small market (though not the smallest),
perhaps the ranges indicated "Small circulation, neighborhood News" in
the Journalism category will give you a sense of possible rates.  (You
might add on a little extra to account for inflation in the past four
years.)

"National Survey - Freelance and Contract Writer's Rates - Summer
1999"
National Writers Union
http://www.nwu.org/hotline/hotsurv.htm

Another survey, reported in 2000, provides additional data on hourly
rates.  In particular, you can see how the rates may vary according to
background and type of work.

"Survey Results: Word Rates and Hourly Rates for NZ and US Writers -
US - Hourly Rates" (Last Updated  08/13/00)
Writerfind NZ
http://www.writerfind.com/surveyresults.htm#ushourly

The National Writer's Union's "Report on Pay Rates for Freelance
Journalists", cited above, as well as another page of the Writer's
Market article "How Much Should I Charge?" and an article on boosting
your freelance income, describe what is an appropriate rate not only
from an objective standpoint, but also from the writer's point of
view.  After all, that is the point of view most significant to you --
you need to make a living.

"How Much Should I Charge? - How To Choose Your Own Salary", by Lynn
Wasnak
Writer's Market
http://www.writersmarket.com/content/charge3.asp

"Dollar dynamics", by Kelly James-Enger (August 2002)
The Writer
http://www.writermag.com/WRT/html/departments/bottomline/200206_511.asp

I hope you receive the rate you want!

- justaskscott-ga


I used these search terms, in various combinations, on Google:

"freelance journalist"
"freelance journalists"
hour
hourly
word
rate
rates

[Thanks to journalist-ga (what an appropriate name!) for supplying me
with the current version of "How Much Should I Charge?"]

Great response. Many thanks!