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Freelance Caption Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Banner

Visuals Editor

Baltimore, MD · On-site

Strong caption writing, reporting, assignment brief and visual research skills. * Experience with ... Staff and freelance contributors receive useful direction, timely feedback and the context they ...

The Banner

Visuals Editor

Baltimore, MD · On-site

Strong caption writing, reporting, assignment brief and visual research skills. * Experience with ... Staff and freelance contributors receive useful direction, timely feedback and the context they ...

Wild Oak Boutique

Marketing Coordinator

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

You can write a caption or a subject line that sounds like a person, not a template. * 0-2 years of marketing, social, or content experience. Internships, freelance work, and running your own ...

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Copywriter

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$79K - $114K/yr

Candidates should have the strategic writing and communication skills necessary to conceptually ... Deliverables will come in the form of idea writeups, decks, scripts, caption copy, comment ...

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Copywriter

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$79K - $114K/yr

Candidates should have the strategic writing and communication skills necessary to conceptually ... Deliverables will come in the form of idea writeups, decks, scripts, caption copy, comment ...

The New York Times

News Assistant

New York, NY · On-site

Write and reword caption information attached to incoming pictures or other material submitted by ... of freelance and staff payments * Learn and use evolving administrative tools and working with ...

Defender of Wildlife

Multimedia Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site

$79K - $85K/yr

Collaborate across departments to source stories, write and review scripts, and produce content ... sites, freelancers, vendors and partners. * Help maintain Defenders' video database; collect and ...

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Freelance Caption Writer information

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How much do freelance caption writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance caption writer in the United States is $23.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $26.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance caption writer?

Freelance caption writers are independent professionals who create engaging and concise text captions for images, videos, social media posts, and marketing materials. They work with various clients, such as businesses, influencers, and digital agencies, to help communicate messages effectively and boost audience engagement. As freelancers, they are self-employed and manage their own schedules, client relationships, and workload. Their work requires strong writing skills, creativity, and an understanding of different brand voices and digital platforms.

How does a freelance caption writer typically collaborate with clients and editors during projects?

Freelance Caption Writers usually work remotely and communicate with clients or editors through email, project management platforms, or messaging apps. They often receive guidelines or briefs outlining the client's expectations, brand voice, and desired tone. Throughout the project, they may submit drafts for feedback and revisions, ensuring captions align with the visual content and audience. Clear, timely communication and openness to feedback are essential for building successful client relationships and delivering high-quality work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance caption writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Caption Writer, you need excellent writing skills, creativity, and a strong understanding of grammar and style, often supported by a portfolio of previous work. Familiarity with content management systems, basic photo editing tools, and social media platforms is typically required. Adaptability, attention to detail, and the ability to meet tight deadlines help set standout caption writers apart. These skills ensure that captions are engaging, on-brand, and contribute to effective digital communication.

What is the difference between Freelance Caption Writer vs Freelance Transcriptionist?

AspectFreelance Caption WriterFreelance Transcriptionist
CredentialsBasic writing skills, familiarity with captioning softwareTyping speed, audio/video comprehension skills
Work EnvironmentRemote, often on video contentRemote, audio/video files
Industry UsageMedia, entertainment, online contentLegal, medical, general transcription

Both roles involve working with audio/video content remotely, but caption writers focus on creating synchronized text for videos, while transcriptionists convert audio into written form without necessarily adding captions. The choice depends on whether you prefer captioning or transcription tasks, but both require strong language skills and attention to detail.

Can I get paid to write captions?

Yes, freelance caption writers can earn money by creating captions for social media posts, advertisements, or videos. Payment varies based on experience, project scope, and client requirements, and many work remotely with flexible schedules using tools like content management platforms.

How do you become a freelance caption writer?

To become a freelance caption writer, develop strong writing and editing skills, familiarize yourself with captioning tools and software, and build a portfolio of sample captions. Many freelancers find work through online platforms, social media, or by reaching out to media companies, and having a good understanding of timing and accessibility standards is beneficial.

How much do freelance caption writers make?

Freelance caption writers typically earn between $10 and $50 per hour or $0.05 to $0.50 per caption, depending on experience, project complexity, and client requirements. Rates can vary based on the platform used, such as Upwork or Fiverr, and the quality of work delivered.

Is freelance caption writing a good side hustle?

Freelance caption writing can be a viable side hustle for those with strong writing skills and attention to detail, as it involves creating short, engaging descriptions for videos or images. It offers flexible scheduling and the potential for steady income, especially with experience and good client relationships, but income varies based on workload and rates. Success often depends on building a portfolio and mastering tools like captioning software.
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Freelance Caption Writer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Caption Writer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 59% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 37% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,412 per year, or $23.3 per hour.

Visuals Editor

Baltimore, MD • On-site

The Banner
1 - 10 employees
Learn more about The Bannerexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Our Visuals Team is Growing!
The Banner is building a newsroom that reflects Maryland in all its complexity, urgency and possibility. We're looking for a Visuals Editor to help shape powerful visual journalism across the state.
This is a strategic, hands-on editing, assignment and management role for someone who knows how to move fast on breaking news, think big on enterprise, and collaborate closely with reporters, editors, photographers, illustrators, designers and audience teams to make stories more compelling, more accessible and more visually distinctive.
You'll join a visuals team that includes four staff photojournalists and another Visuals Editor, working across breaking news, arts, investigations, sports, features and special projects. You'll report to the Director of Visuals and help guide the daily visual workflow for photography, illustration and design. In partnership with the Director of Visuals, you'll help assign work, support staff and freelance contributors, uphold visual standards, and provide coaching and feedback that strengthens the team's work.
What You'll Do
  • Help manage the daily visual schedule and workflow for stories across Maryland, with a focus on Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
  • Assign staff and freelance photographers, illustrators and visual contributors for breaking news, features, enterprise stories and special projects.
  • Help coordinate workloads, deadlines and priorities for visual assignments in partnership with the Director of Visuals and other newsroom leaders.
  • Edit photography on deadline with strong visual judgment, rigorous caption accuracy and attention to tone, context and fairness.
  • Provide clear assignment direction, creative briefs and feedback to staff photographers, freelancers and illustrators.
  • Help coach visual contributors on storytelling approach, captioning, ethical considerations, visual quality and digital presentation.
  • Brainstorm visual approaches with reporters and editors early in the story process.
  • Identify opportunities for stronger photography, illustration, design, video, archival imagery, visual explainers and other storytelling formats.
  • Research wire, archival and licensed imagery, ensuring appropriate permissions, credits, captions and usage rights.
  • Help shape story presentation, layout, homepage treatment, newsletters, social visuals and off-platform promotion.
  • Art direct illustrations and create photo illustrations when needed.
  • Support the Director of Visuals in maintaining visual standards, workflow systems and consistent editorial practices across the newsroom.
  • Help onboard and support freelance contributors, including communicating expectations, deadlines, assignment needs and editorial standards.
  • Bring creativity, care, sound judgment and strong editorial standards to every assignment.
  • Uphold The Banner's commitment to ethical, accurate, inclusive and community-centered journalism.

What You'll Bring
  • 5+ years of experience editing visuals in a fast-paced newsroom or editorial environment.
  • Excellent news judgment and a strong understanding of visual ethics, accuracy, consent, representation and context.
  • A strong eye for visual narrative, digital storytelling and platform-specific presentation.
  • Experience assigning or managing photographers, illustrators, freelancers or other visual contributors.
  • Experience providing feedback, coaching or editorial guidance to visual journalists or creative collaborators.
  • Experience commissioning photography, illustration and/or video.
  • Strong caption writing, reporting, assignment brief and visual research skills.
  • Experience with archival research, licensing, copyright permissions and proper image usage.
  • Fluency in Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, Photo Mechanic and related visual editing or design tools.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to help manage competing deadlines, assignments and newsroom priorities.
  • A collaborative approach and the ability to stay calm, clear and constructive under deadline pressure.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to give and receive thoughtful editorial feedback.
  • A clear commitment to community-centered journalism and inclusive assignment practices.
  • Willingness to work some evenings, weekends or irregular hours as news requires.

What Success Looks Like
  • Visual assignments are clear, well-coordinated and aligned with newsroom priorities.
  • Staff and freelance contributors receive useful direction, timely feedback and the context they need to produce strong work.
  • Visual work is accurate, ethical, compelling and reflective of the communities The Banner serves.
  • Editors and reporters bring visuals into story planning earlier and more consistently.
  • Photography, illustration and design are used thoughtfully to strengthen story presentation across platforms.
  • The Director of Visuals has a strong partner in managing daily workflow, maintaining standards and supporting the visuals team.

Additional Information:
  • Samples of your work: Please submit samples of photos that you have edited and/or art direction.
  • Schedule: This position follows a Sunday - Thursday afternoon/eveningcoverage schedule. Some schedule flexibility may be needed based on news demands.
  • Location: This role is based in Baltimore, Maryland with hybrid work options available.

Salary Range: $95,000 - $105,000 Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by several factors including experience, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. We periodically review all teammates' pay to ensure a great compensation package that is fair and equal across the board.
Our amazing benefits include:
  • Flexible Paid Time Off
  • Retirement savings - 401K plan offered through Human Interest, with a company match
  • Student Loan Debt Repayment Assistance for qualified employees
  • Full health benefits - medical, dental, vision, prescription, FSA/HSA., and coverage for family/dependents
  • Sick Leave eligible for rollover
  • Commuter Benefits
  • 11 Paid National Holidays
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Generous Parental Leave
  • Company paid access to a wellness platform to support mental, financial and physical wellbeing

Our Core Values:
  • Do what's right. Honesty, morality, respect and the mission guide our actions and decisions. By doing the right thing, we inspire others to believe.
  • Work together. We collaborate to create something special. Together we challenge assumptions, trust each other, take risks, and foster transparent and direct communication.
  • Listen to be heard. Our stories are trustworthy. They are inspired by and created for our readers. Their story is our story. Communities are at the center of our journalism, and everything we do.
  • Deliver impactful results. Acting as one accountable team and driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, we deliver bold and innovative results. We act fast, execute and learn. We celebrate great outcomes.
  • Be inclusive. We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and act by curating a culture that leverages diverse perspectives as the key to fulfilling our mission. The Banner is for all of us.

The Venetoulis Institute embraces diversity and inclusion, and we are wholeheartedly committed to being proactive in inspiring a culture of inclusion across our organization. We are dedicated to establishing an organization that reflects the fundamental respect for different ways of working and living, and we assure every employee the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation due to a disability to participate in the application process, please contact careers@thebanner.com to request accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to, adjustments in the application process, modifications or assistance regarding job interviews, and accommodations to enable access to our facilities. We appreciate the value that individuals with disabilities bring to our workforce and encourage applicants with disabilities to disclose their needs for accommodation to facilitate a smooth and inclusive recruitment experience.

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