€0.06 per word. You’ve been charging this rate for three years now, while eurozone inflation has eaten over 10% of your purchasing power. Rent went up, electricity went up, even your morning coffee costs more - but you’re still sending clients the same price sheet from 2023. You know why? Because you’re scared. Scared that the client will find someone cheaper. Let’s figure out how to raise your rates the right way and keep your client base intact.
Translation rates in 2026: the real numbers¶
Before we talk about raising anything - let’s look at what the market actually pays. Because maybe you’re not just undercharging - maybe you’re working at a loss.
Average per-word rates in 2026¶
| Market | General translation | Specialized (legal, medical, technical) |
|---|---|---|
| Europe (freelance) | €0.08-€0.15 | €0.12-€0.25 |
| Germany (sworn translator) | €0.13-€0.20 | €0.18-€0.30 |
| US/Canada | $0.10-$0.20 | $0.15-$0.30 |
| UK | £0.08-£0.15 | £0.12-£0.25 |
These are market averages based on ProZ data, BDÜ guidance, and translation agency pricing. If your rate is below the bottom of these ranges - that’s not “competitive pricing,” that’s undercutting yourself. And you have every right to charge more.
Now look at inflation¶
Eurostat data shows labor costs in the eurozone grew 3.4% in Q1 2025 alone. In the Professional & Technical Activities sector (which includes translation) - the increase was 7.4%. Everyone around you raised their prices. Everyone except you.
And here’s the most painful stat: according to the ELIS 2025 survey (European Language Industry Survey), for the first time in the survey’s history, the majority of freelance translators reported rate decreases. Not increases - decreases. 57% of freelancers are unhappy with their income. 23% are thinking about leaving the profession entirely. If you don’t want to join that 23% - keep reading.
Why translators are afraid to raise prices¶
You know your rates are outdated. But every time you think about sending clients a new price sheet, something stops you. Let’s break down the common fears.
“The client will find someone cheaper”¶
Maybe. But let’s be honest: a client who picks translators purely on price will leave you for someone cheaper at any moment. Even if you never raise your rate. These clients don’t value quality - they value price. And spending your time and energy on them is a direct path to burnout.
“I’m not experienced enough”¶
Impostor syndrome. If your translations get accepted by clients without major revisions - you’re experienced enough to charge market rates. Period.
“Now isn’t the right time”¶
There’s no perfect time. AI pressure, competition, market uncertainty - all of that will still be here tomorrow and next year. But inflation doesn’t wait. Every month you work at the old rate, you’re effectively accepting a pay cut.
“I’ll lose my regular clients”¶
Most clients are fine with 5-15% increases when you give them advance notice and explain the reason. And the ones who leave over a 5% bump - would they have stuck around anyway? Probably not.
5 signs it’s time to raise your rates¶
1. You haven’t raised prices in over a year. Inflation eats into your income every month. Even a 3-5% annual increase isn’t really a “raise” - it’s just keeping up with inflation.
2. You have more work than you can handle. If you’re regularly turning clients away because you’re booked - the market is telling you directly: “You’re worth more than you’re charging.”
3. New clients agree without negotiating. If people accept your rate without any pushback - it’s too low. A fair market price always triggers at least some discussion.
4. You feel resentful about your work. Working for peanuts is mentally draining. If you catch yourself thinking “why did I take this on” - the problem is often the pay, not the work.
5. Your peers charge more for the same work. Check rates on ProZ, talk to colleagues in professional communities. If the market moved up and you didn’t - time to catch up.
How to raise your rates: step by step¶
Step 1: Calculate your real cost¶
Before naming a new price - figure out what you actually need to earn. If you haven’t done this math yet - here’s a detailed guide with formulas.
Quick version: add up your monthly expenses (rent, food, insurance, software, taxes, retirement contributions), add your desired profit, divide by your billable hours. That’s your minimum hourly rate.
The average translator produces 2,000-2,500 words per working day. Divide your daily rate by 2,000 - that’s your minimum per-word price. If that number is higher than what you’re currently charging - there’s your answer.
Step 2: Research the market¶
See what other translators charge for your language pair and specialization:
- ProZ rates database - aggregated rates from thousands of translators
- Professional forums and Slack/Telegram groups
- Translation agency price lists (keep in mind agencies take 30-50% margin, so freelancers can charge 60-70% of agency prices)
- Recommendations from BDÜ or other professional associations in your country
Step 3: Decide on the size of your increase¶
Golden rule: raise by 5-15% at a time. A sudden 30-50% jump shocks clients, even if the new price is still within market range.
If your current rate is way below market - do two or three increases spaced 6-12 months apart. For example: €0.06 → €0.07 (after 6 months) → €0.08 (6 months later) → €0.09. Clients adjust gradually, and each step becomes your new baseline.
Step 4: Test your new rate on new clients first¶
The simplest, lowest-risk move: just quote your new rate to every new client. If they say yes - you’re ready to update existing clients too. If every new prospect says no - you might need to adjust the number.
One translator on the ProZ forum shared: “I just set the new rate for new inquiries and within a month saw that 80% of clients were fine with it. That’s when I knew it was time to update my regulars too.”
Step 5: Notify existing clients¶
This is where you need to get it right. The key rules:
- Give 30-60 days’ notice. Never raise your rate “starting with the next project.” Give clients time to adjust their budgets.
- Explain the reason. Briefly, without apologizing. Inflation, rising tool costs, continued professional development.
- Show your value. Remind clients what you deliver: quality, reliability, subject-matter expertise.
- Be open to conversation. Some clients will want to discuss it - that’s normal and healthy.
Step 6: Lock in new rates in writing¶
A verbal agreement isn’t an agreement. Updated rates should be in a written contract or at minimum confirmed via email. This protects both you and the client.
Rate increase email template¶
Here’s a template you can adapt. It’s intentionally short and professional - no need for a three-paragraph justification.
Subject: Update to my translation rates from [date]
Hi [name],
I’ve enjoyed working with you over the past [timeframe] - your projects in [field] are always interesting and I value our professional relationship.
I’m writing to let you know that starting [date - at least 30 days from now], my rates will be updated to [new rate] per word (currently [old rate]).
This adjustment reflects rising operating costs and my continued investment in specialization and quality. I remain committed to delivering the same accuracy and reliability you’re used to.
If you’d like to discuss this or have any questions, I’m happy to talk.
Best regards, [your name]
Notice what’s NOT in this email: there’s no “sorry for the inconvenience.” You’re not apologizing - you’re informing. Raising rates is standard business practice, not something that requires an apology.
What to do when clients push back¶
Client says “let me think about it” - then goes silent¶
Give them a week, then send a short follow-up: “Any questions about the updated rates? Happy to discuss.” If silence again - they’ve either accepted or they’re looking for alternatives. Either way, you did the right thing.
Client openly says “I can’t afford it”¶
Two paths here. If it’s a valuable client with large volumes - offer a volume discount: “For orders over 10,000 words per month - [reduced rate].” If volumes are small and the client simply doesn’t want to pay market rates - thank them for the partnership and let them go. One client who pays little but drains your energy blocks you from finding clients who pay properly.
Client negotiates¶
This is a healthy response. Be ready for a dialogue. You can offer:
- Lock in the old rate for the current project, apply the new rate from the next one
- A package discount for guaranteed monthly volume
- A transition period: old rate for 2-3 more months, then the new one
What NOT to do: immediately fold and revert to the old price at the first sign of pushback. You already decided the old rate doesn’t work. Don’t abandon your position.
Client leaves¶
It happens. And it’s okay. Let’s do the math.
You have 10 clients, each bringing an average of 5,000 words per month at €0.06. That’s €3,000/month. You raise to €0.07, two clients leave.
New income: 8 x 5,000 x €0.07 = €2,800. Down €200? Yes, but you just freed up 10,000 words of monthly capacity. Fill that space with even one new client at the new rate - you’re at €3,150. Two new clients - €3,500, which is 17% more than before.
Special situations¶
Raising rates with agencies¶
Agencies are used to low freelancer rates. But there’s still room to move:
- Raise gradually, 5% at a time
- Argue with specialization: “I’ve completed certification in medical translation, so for medical texts my new rate is [X]”
- If the agency says “we have a fixed budget” - that’s their problem, not yours
- Don’t be afraid to lose a middleman agency. If you have direct clients - your dependence on agencies goes down
MTPE rates: a separate conversation¶
If agencies offer you machine translation post-editing at 40-60% of your regular rate - think twice. MTPE often takes just as long as translating from scratch, but pays less. If you do take MTPE work - calculate your rate based on actual time spent, not on a “discount from translation.”
AI is pushing rates down - what now?¶
53% of translators in the ELIS 2025 survey question their future as freelancers due to AI pressure. But AI creates new opportunities too:
- You can use AI as a tool to speed up your work while maintaining your rate
- Specialization protects against AI price competition better than anything - pick a niche where AI still makes plenty of mistakes (legal, medical, creative translation)
- Position yourself not as “a translator competing with ChatGPT” but as “a [niche] expert who guarantees quality that AI can’t deliver”
FAQ¶
How often should I raise my rates?¶
Once a year is the minimum. Even if you only raise by the inflation rate (3-5%), that’s better than sitting on the same number for years. If you’re actively developing - new specialization, certifications, growing demand - every 6 months is fine. The key is giving clients advance notice and not making jumps larger than 15% at once.
Should I have different rates for different clients?¶
Yes, and it’s standard practice. A regular client with large volumes might get a 5-10% discount from your base rate. A one-time client with a rush job - the opposite, a 25-50% surcharge. The key is having a clear base rate that you calculate from, not a random set of prices based on “whatever they’ll pay.”
What if I’m just starting out and don’t have regular clients yet?¶
If you’re just getting into freelancing - don’t start with rock-bottom pricing. The temptation to charge less to build a client base is real, but raising your rate from €0.03 to a market-rate €0.08 later will be way harder than starting at €0.06-€0.07. It’s better to have fewer clients at a fair price than many clients at a rate that doesn’t cover your costs.
How will AI affect translation rates in the coming years?¶
According to ELIS 2025, only 41% of junior translators (less than 2 years of experience) believe translation is a viable long-term career - down from 69% just a year earlier. Rate pressure in general translation will keep growing. But specialized niches - law, medicine, technical, transcreation - hold and will continue to hold higher rates. Your best defense is specialization and quality that AI simply can’t match.
Per word, per page, or per hour - which is best?¶
Depends on your market. In Europe, per-word (source or target) is standard. In Eastern Europe, per-page (1,800 characters with spaces) is common. In the US - per word or per hour. What matters most is knowing your actual hourly earnings. If you translate 300 words per hour at €0.06/word - that’s €18/hour. If you do 500 words/hour - that’s €30/hour. Track your real speed and use it to determine whether your rate actually works.