How much will an index cost?

Indexers may quote rates on a per page, per entry , per line, or  per job basis.  For the editor, a per page rate is probably the easiest to understand and budget for (realizing that in most cases the author may actually pay for the index).  For the indexer, a set per page rate can produce widely varying amounts of income on an hourly basis.  For example, a rate of $3.00 per page can mean an income of $60 per hour if the text is simple and one can index 20 pages per hour.  On the other hand, the same rate could mean an income of $6 per hour if the material is so difficult that one can only index 5 pages per hour.  This is why it is not possible to quote one single per page rate for every job--particularly without seeing a sample of the work.

No matter how rates are quoted, in reality the cost of an index is directly related to two factors:  1) how many and how complex are the entries that must be created; and 2) what does the Indexer expect to earn per hour for the time spent on an index.  Many factors go into the second calculation. 

Indexing is both physically and mentally challenging.  The indexer often spends long hours at the keyboard, risking repetitive stress injuries to the hands and arms or to the voice if Speech Recognition Software is used.  Often working as a freelancer, an indexer must provide medical/accident/disability, and liability insurance as well as retirement planning including self-employment tax.  Salaried jobs typically include benefits for these expenses which may amount to 30%-40% on top of each paycheck.  Besides this, there are all the myriad activities and expenses that go with running a business beyond the actual time spent on indexing.  For this reason, an indexer's hour rate may seem higher than comparable salaried positions – but it is not really higher when all the above factors are taken into account.

Frequently one must provide an advance quote on an indexing job, often based on scant information - at most a sample chapter.  Editors who have worked with me for years know that I will always charge them a fair rate for the work when I base my charges on maintaining an hourly rate that represents a professional and equitable return for quality work. For the editor's convenience, I will always quote a per page rate, but this rate will be based on a clear understanding, hopefully by seeing a sample chapter or two, of how much time I will need to spend on an index.  For example, over the past several years I have done indexes for page rates that ranged from $1.40 to $5.75 per page, but my hourly rate is currently $55.00/hour.

For more details, see my standard indexing Proposal/Contract:  PDF format. (Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or later required: If you do not have this, download a free copy at the Adobe site)