About Freelance Writing Jobs in Washington, DC
Washington Freelance Writing Jobs Overview
Writing is vital to communication. Whether writing is for brands, blogs, newspapers, research papers, books, magazines, pamphlets, or instruction manuals, its purpose is to present important information in a clear way that's easy for the intended audience to understand. Although there are many staff writing positions within publications and on marketing and communications teams, many writers opt to go freelance to have more control over their workload, schedules, and assignments. Businesses across industries hire for freelance writing jobs during busy seasons or for substantial yet temporary projects. Freelance writers don't need any specific education or credentials—just a laptop and a love of language.
Freelance writing jobs can be long term, short term, assignment based, or contract based. Some freelance writers work from home, while others briefly join an internal team's office. As a writer, you'll choose or receive an assignment, conduct factual research, write copy, present drafts to editors, and work with editors to form the finished product.
You can expand your search for media jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Washington, D.C.
Looking for the cosmopolitan city life? Washington, D.C., has it all—combining history, politics, and culture to generate a distinctively energized metro atmosphere. And there's much more to the nation's capital than governmental concerns. Locals will tell you how well-developed the city is, with high-caliber museums (and architectural feats within and bordering the National Mall), loads of restaurants to satisfy any true foodie, convenient public transportation, and opportunities for green-space adventures in national and state parks right outside the urban core.
Washington, D.C., jobs are also expected to grow by 33.7% in the next 10 years (a faster rate than the U.S. average of 33.5%), so now's a great time to make a career move. Cost of living is higher than the national average, but that isn't unusual, given the nature of the location (and you're likely to find a higher-paying job here as well). Additionally, employment and housing possibilities are plentiful in the greater D.C. area, with headquarters for various businesses, corporate sprawls, and government contractors. So you may want to explore nearby Alexandria in Virginia and Bowie, Rockville, and Annapolis in Maryland for further job openings too.
Update Your Washington Freelance Writing Resume
We know you're a great writer, but sometimes even the best battle with writer's block. Don't let the struggle to find the right words stop you from writing that outstanding resume. Instead, use Monster's resume samples and writing tips as inspiration. Although not every freelance writing job will ask for a cover letter, when they do, treat it like a writing sample. A cover letter is a chance to introduce your unique voice and show off your creativity. Triple-check your spelling and grammar—you don't want to apply to a writing job and miss simple mistakes. Check out our sample cover letters and advice for writing cover letters for help along the way.
Don't forget to assemble your best and most recent work into a writing portfolio to submit alongside your other application materials. For more tips, check out his article on how to build a portfolio.
How Much Do Freelance Writing Jobs Pay in Washington, D.C.?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in freelance writing jobs in Washington, D.C., as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median writer pay in Washington is $29.36 per hour, which is 16% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Washington Freelance Writing Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in freelance writing? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those freelance writing jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Washington, how to nail your job interview, and more.