Look, I love being a freelancer. The freedom, the flexibility, the ability to work from my favourite café in Sydney while the sun streams through the window. But there's one thing that really grinds my gears: the gender pay gap.
A new global study from Remitly for Freelancers has dropped, and the numbers are pretty sobering for us creative types. They analysed hourly rates from more than 58,000 freelancers on Upwork, and guess what? Women are still charging less than men across almost every role in the design and creative industry.
Let's talk about what this means for you, and more importantly, what you can do to flip the script.
The Numbers Don't Lie
According to the study, female real estate photographers are charging an average of 21.9% less per hour than their male counterparts. That's $21.98 per hour versus $28.14. For wedding photographers, the gap is 9.8%—$26.94 per hour for women compared to $29.85 for men.
And it's not just photographers. The largest gap in the whole creative industry? YouTube video editors, with women charging a whopping 23.4% less.
"Gig work can be more precarious than traditional employment, and hiring practices are often opaque. In offering competitive rates, freelancers may undervalue their labor and miss out on their true worth."
This quote from the report really hit home. It's not just about what clients are willing to pay—it's about what we think we're worth. And that internalised bias? It's costing us real money.
Why Is This Happening?
I've been freelancing for over a decade, and I've seen this play out with my own eyes. We're often so worried about being seen as 'too expensive' or 'difficult' that we undercut ourselves before the client even gets a chance to say yes.
There's also the structural stuff. The wider labour market has always undervalued women's work, and that seeps into freelancing too. We're less likely to negotiate aggressively, and we're more likely to say yes to lower-paying gigs because we're afraid of losing the work.
But here's the thing: undervaluing yourself doesn't just hurt your bank account. It hurts the entire industry. When we charge less, we set a precedent that our work is worth less. And that's a cycle we need to break.
What You Can Do About It
So, how do we start closing this gap? It's not going to happen overnight, but there are practical steps you can take right now.
Know Your Worth (And Charge It)
Do your research. Look at what other freelancers with your experience and skill set are charging—not just the average, but the top end. Then, set your rates accordingly. Don't be afraid to raise them. If a client balks, that's okay. The right clients will pay for quality.
Get Your Invoicing Game On Point
This might sound boring, but hear me out. When you send a professional, clear, and timely invoice, it signals that you are a professional who means business. It's a subtle but powerful way to reinforce your value.
That's where a tool like Invoice Gini comes in handy. I've been using it for my own freelance work, and honestly, it's a lifesaver. You just say what you need—like "Invoice Sarah for the wedding shoot on June 5th, $1,500"—and it generates a beautiful PDF instantly. No more awkward spreadsheets or forgetting to follow up on payments. It tracks everything for you, so you can focus on the creative stuff and stop stressing about the money side of things.
Negotiate Like a Boss
Practice your negotiation scripts. It feels weird at first, but it gets easier. Remember: the worst they can say is no. And if they say no, you haven't lost anything—you've just learned where the boundary is.
Support Other Women
Share your rates with trusted peers. Talk openly about money. The more transparent we are, the harder it is for the pay gap to persist.
The Silver Lining
Interestingly, the study did find one area where women are charging more: videography. According to Ondeck's 2024 research, female videographers charge around $121.67 per hour compared to $74.25 for men. That's a $47.42 difference in our favour.
So, it's not all doom and gloom. We're making progress in some areas. But we've still got a long way to go, especially in photography and editing.
Final Thoughts
Look, I'm not saying that using a fancy invoicing tool will magically close the gender pay gap. But I am saying that every time you send a professional invoice that reflects your true value, you're taking a stand. You're saying, "My work is worth this." And that's a powerful thing.
So, let's keep pushing. Let's keep charging what we're worth. And let's support each other along the way.
Source: Study Reveals Gender Pay Gaps Among Freelance Photographers