Results: Guidebook rates of pay survey
Access the raw data about how much 54 guidebook writers got paid
I know a number of travel writers who have based their careers around the stability of guidebook writing, where getting ‘in’ with a publisher can lead to months, if not years, of paid work. I’ve even heard some talk nostalgically about the 80s, 90s and 00s, when guidebook usage was at its peak and writers owned the royalties for their books — meaning some made an absolute killing.
Those golden days are long gone. However, Lottie and I wanted to learn what the new landscape of guidebook rates looks like today, which is why we asked readers to complete our Guidebook Rates of Pay survey. The insights into the shape of the industry and, most importantly, what it means for our earnings, were revealing.
The data
Data scientists we are not (we’ve learned a lot about the questions we need to pose next time for even more useful data), but the information presented below gives an overview of the state of guidebook writing as gleaned from the very real experiences of 54 writers.
The results are largely based upon commissions undertaken in 2024 and refer to those offered by the following eleven publishers:
Cicerone
Conway
Bradt
DK Eyewitness
Fodor’s
Hoxton Mini Press
Jonglez Publishing
Lonely Planet
Moon
Pen & Sword
Rick Steves
Rough Guides
Vertebrate Publishing
In our survey, we asked respondents the proposed rate for the commission, the scope of the work and payment timescales.
While we would love to openly share all of the information, many contracts have clauses forbidding writers from discussing the monetary specifics of their work, and we don’t want to put anyone’s professional relationships at risk. As a result, all entries and quotations have had identifying information removed to preserve the writer’s anonymity.
Want to read an analysis of the data, including insights gathered from asking whether they turned a profit working on the project and if it was worthwhile financially or for their career?