7 High-Paying Websites That Will Pay You $300–$600 Per Tech Article
Even If You’re Just Starting Out
Hey folks, I hope you’re doing well!
Just a couple of days back, I shared a LinkedIn post about freelance writing gigs, and the response blew me away. Many of my viewers, especially students and early-career tech professionals, reached out asking for legit side income options that don’t require full-time commitment or a polished writing portfolio.
And I totally get it. Back when I was juggling software engineering and university deadlines, earning even $500/month from a side hustle felt like a big deal. Especially when you’re trying to balance studies, learn in-demand skills, and build your future.
So here it is: a curated list of 7 websites that pay anywhere between $300 and $600 per article — specifically for people with technical know-how. If you’re in IT, coding, or dev fields, this might just be your entry point into the world of paid writing.
Note: I’ve included names, payment info, and what you need to get started. The data is pulled directly from each website’s contributor guidelines, and these are beginner-friendly platforms.
1. Auth0 (by Okta) — Up to $450 per article
Auth0, a security-focused company under Okta, regularly accepts technical guest posts related to identity management, authentication protocols, and cybersecurity. This platform offers competitive pay rates for detailed, well-researched, and practical guides that can help developers and security professionals.
- Payment Range: $300–$450 per article
- Topics: Identity management, authentication, cybersecurity, APIs, and DevOps.
- What You Need to Get Started: A solid understanding of authentication concepts and API integrations. Having experience with Okta or Auth0 tools is a bonus.
- How to Apply: Check out their Auth0 Blog Contributor Guidelines. Pitch article ideas directly to their editorial team.
2. Smashing Magazine — Up to $500 per article
Smashing Magazine is a top resource for web developers, UX/UI designers, and front-end professionals. They accept detailed tutorials, guides, and articles on coding, design patterns, accessibility, and web performance. It’s a great platform if you want to dive deeper into topics like JavaScript frameworks, CSS grid, and responsive design.
- Payment Range: $200–$500 per article
- Topics: Web design, JavaScript, UX/UI, performance optimization, CSS, front-end technologies.
- What You Need to Get Started: A good understanding of web design principles, popular frameworks like React or Vue.js, and some hands-on experience in frontend development.
- How to Apply: Review their Smashing Magazine Guidelines. Send them a detailed pitch or idea based on their article suggestions.
3. Toptal — $300–$600 per article
Toptal is well-known for connecting top freelancers with high-quality clients. Their tech blog covers software development, machine learning, blockchain, and other cutting-edge topics. Toptal’s editorial team prefers practical, in-depth articles that offer value to experienced developers and aspiring tech entrepreneurs.
- Payment Range: $300–$600 per article
- Topics: Blockchain, AI, machine learning, software engineering, system architecture.
- What You Need to Get Started: Extensive experience in software development or technical leadership. They prioritize expert-level insights and case studies.
- How to Apply: Pitch article ideas directly through the Toptal Blog Contributor Page.
4. DigitalOcean — $250–$500 per article
DigitalOcean is a cloud hosting provider that’s especially popular among developers and startups. They accept articles about cloud computing, DevOps, Kubernetes, and Linux-based infrastructure. The writing style is very much hands-on, with tutorials, how-to guides, and problem-solving articles.
- Payment Range: $250–$500 per article
- Topics: Cloud computing, DevOps, Kubernetes, Docker, Linux systems.
- What You Need to Get Started: A solid understanding of cloud computing platforms, containerization, and development workflows.
- How to Apply: Check out their DigitalOcean Writing Guide for submission details and pitch your ideas accordingly.
5. SitePoint — $300–$600 per article
SitePoint is a well-established resource for web developers, designers, and marketers. They accept high-quality, technical content on programming, web development, and industry trends. If you have experience with modern frameworks or web development best practices, this is an excellent place to share your knowledge.
- Payment Range: $300–$600 per article
- Topics: JavaScript, front-end frameworks, web security, Node.js, web performance.
- What You Need to Get Started: Deep knowledge of modern web development technologies. Articles should be tutorial-driven or explore industry best practices.
- How to Apply: Review their SitePoint Contributor Guidelines and submit a pitch for your article ideas.
6. Contentful — $300–$500 per article
Contentful is a leading content management system (CMS) that powers websites and digital experiences. They welcome guest posts on technical topics related to CMS, content modeling, API integration, and headless architecture. Writing for Contentful is a great way to build authority in the CMS ecosystem and get paid well for your work.
- Payment Range: $300–$500 per article
- Topics: Headless CMS, API-first architecture, content management best practices.
- What You Need to Get Started: A background in CMS platforms, APIs, or content-driven web development.
- How to Apply: Go through the Contentful Blog Submission Guide and submit your pitch via their guidelines.
7. Airbnb Engineering & Data Science Blog — $300–$500 per article
Airbnb’s Engineering and Data Science Blog offers a platform for software engineers and data scientists to share their technical experiences. This is an excellent opportunity if you have experience with machine learning, cloud architecture, or large-scale data systems.
- Payment Range: $300–$500 per article
- Topics: Data science, machine learning, cloud infrastructure, backend development, system architecture.
- What You Need to Get Started: A strong background in software engineering or data science, with practical experience in scaling complex systems.
- How to Apply: Read through their Airbnb Engineering Blog Guidelines and pitch your article ideas directly to their editorial team.
Wrapping It Up
If you’re just starting out with tech writing and want to make some side income, these websites are a great starting point. With a bit of technical knowledge and the willingness to put in the effort, you can easily earn $300–$600 per article.
The best part? These platforms are beginner-friendly and allow you to learn as you go. Just remember, high-quality writing, technical accuracy, and a well-structured pitch are key to landing these gigs. Don’t be afraid to start small and gradually build your portfolio. You never know—what starts as a side hustle could turn into a full-time freelance career.
Happy writing!