Paid Per Word vs. Per Hour: Which Is More Profitable for Remote Translators?

Are you a freelance remote translator wondering how to price your work? No problem, you’re not the only one. There are plenty of freelancers who face the same problem that you are: "Should I charge per word or hourly?" At first glance, both options seem fair.

But here’s the thing: one way you could be making way more money, depending on your experience, speed, and the type of projects you are working on. So, how do you know which is worth your time and energy? Let’s break down this topic to see what payment model can actually help you make the most out of your translation hustle.

Understanding the Per-Word vs Hourly Paid Systems for Remote Translators

Before diving into which payment model brings you more profit, let’s first understand both of them:

1. Paid Per Word System

Getting paid per word might seem like the most straightforward way to measure your work, and in many ways, it is. You simply charge a set rate (often between $0.20 – $0.40 per word) for every word translated, in other words, the more you translate, the more you earn.

Pros

Here are some of the reasons that many remote translators still find the per-word model enticing, especially when efficiency is your best bet:

• Reliable costs and revenues: Your clients know what they will be charged for, and you are clear about what you will receive (no mystery involved).

• Repays productivity: The sooner and more accurately you work, the greater your effective hourly rate. This can be a motivation to refine your language and technical skills.

• Push you toward being smarter in your workflows: You are naturally forced to find better tools and techniques to improve output, whether it be by using CAT tools, glossaries, or automating repetitive workflows.

• Potentially higher income for fast workers: If you are an efficient translator, the amount you earn in a given hour can easily be more than what clients can normally afford (and/or would come close to paying) on an hourly rate.

• Easier comparison for clients: Clients can make decisions quickly, rather than negotiating hourly estimates, and can take a side-by-side look at per-word costs of different translators (beneficial regarding transparency and trust).

Cons

Of course, every system has its weak spots, and this one’s no exception:

• When you charge per word, you’re locking yourself into a fixed rate no matter how challenging the document is.

• This system can also lead to undervaluing your expertise. You might hesitate to ask for higher rates even when the task clearly deserves it, simply because the “per-word mindset” can psychologically limit your perceived value.

Project types that are more profitable if paid per word

You’ll benefit most from the per-word model when handling:

• Marketing copies or website content

• Subtitles or YouTube captioning

• Tourism brochures

• Marketing flyers

• Email translations

• Product descriptions

Read more: The Freelance Translator’s Goldmine: How to Turn Your Language Skills into a Thriving Business

2. Paid Per Hour System

Rather than charging clients by the word, you invoiced based on the time you spent on the project, if you apply this payment method. This system might feel more intuitive for remote translators who work with creative or highly specialized material that necessitates research, editing, or cultural adaptation.

Pros

If you’re seeking flexibility and fairer compensation for complex work, the hourly system can be the right choice, because:

• Fair pay for effort and complexity: You’re compensated for every hour you spend, whether it’s researching terminology, consulting with clients, or reviewing context. So, there’s no unpaid “extra tasks” hiding behind a flat per-word rate.

• Since you’re not racing to hit a certain word count, you can focus more on precision and creativity.

Cons

While it can be a good approach to service complex assignments, hourly payment has its own drawbacks for remote translators:

• Clients might hesitate because they can’t easily estimate the full cost of the project, particularly when a project scope isn’t articulately defined. It can make the negotiation seem considerably more complicated.

• You may find yourself feeling an unreasonable need to “explain” or “prove” how much time you have spent working on the project for the client, which can become annoying or frustrating over time.

Project types that are more profitable if paid per hour

The per-hour model is better suited for tasks that involve research, editing, proofreading, cultural adaptation, and quality assurance, such as:

• Video game localization

• SEO translation

• Marketing transcreation

• Legal paper

• Book or web novel translation

• Technical documents

• Manuscript polishing

• Website content rewriting

So, Which Is Better?

It depends! When working as a remote translator, there is no right answer when it comes to clearly determining whether you should charge by the hour or by the word.

For example, you can set your rate to $60/hour for 10 hours of work for a total of $600 - fair enough. When charging by the word, if your typical rate is $0.25/word, and you translate at 300 words/hour, your hourly rate is $75/hour.

But, if the document is highly technical or creative and you can only translate at about 150 words/hour, that decreases your productivity and your rate of pay by half with little change in effort. So, how do you determine the price rate working from home as a translator?

First, it may be helpful to know that the translation industry has always been inclined toward a per word rate for whatever reason, instead of being paid by the hour. If you have a project of 400 words, and your rate is $0.10 per word, it is unlikely that a project will pay you $40/hour. And if your rate is $0.25, there is almost no way the project is paying you $100/hour.

What’s the solution, then? Start by analyzing your productivity metrics, how many words you realistically translate in an hour, according to the various types of assignments you take on.

If the hourly rate you earn is inferior to what you would be making on a per-word basis, it is safe to conclude that you need to adjust your hourly rate. Don't forget that professional translators do not merely translate; they are business professionals who need to account for their skills and experiences.

Read more: The Role of Freelance Translators in Global Communications

Your Work, Your Worth

In conclusion, there’s no such thing as a “right” or “wrong” pricing model, only the one that best aligns with your working rhythm and goals. Some translators thrive with per-word consistency, while others find freedom and fairness in hourly rates.

And if you’re looking for remote translator opportunities where your work and worth are equally valued, why not check out Digital-Trans Asia’s careers page? You’ll find a variety of translator roles waiting for you, such as web novel translators, subtitle translators, and gaming translators.

Ready to maximize your translation profitability? Partner with Digital-Trans Asia for flexible remote opportunities that value your expertise. From per-word projects to hourly gigs, we match your skills. Explore careers to apply or contact us today to discuss rates! Visit Digital-Trans Asia for more.