Freelancer jobs have become a global phenomenon in recent years, and with good reason. According to Gitnux, there were 53 million freelancers in 2014 and 59 million freelancers in 2020. Today, there are an estimated 73.3 million U.S. freelancers—a nearly 40% increase from almost ten years ago.
Many who have sought alternative ways to supplement their income, develop new skills, and become more independent have found success with freelancer careers. So much success, in fact, that freelancers contribute nearly 1 trillion dollars each year to the U.S. economy.
However, not all freelancer jobs are created equal. Continue reading to learn about the 20 highest-paying freelance jobs to consider for becoming a successful freelancer.
The 20 Best Freelance Jobs
“If you’re working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The Vision pulls you.”
Steve Jobs
1. Web Designer
What they do: This person specializes in creating and designing aesthetically appealing, functional, and user-friendly websites on a project basis. They work independently and typically have expertise in various aspects of graphic design, including layout design, color schemes, typography, and graphic elements.
Average freelancing rate: The average rate is anywhere from $30 to $80 per hour, depending on the project scope, according to FreshBooks.
2. Virtual Assistant
What they do: A freelance virtual assistant remotely provides clients with administrative, organizational, and technical support. Primarily, virtual assistants leverage technology and digital tools, communicating with clients remotely through email, chat, video calls, or project management platforms.
Average freelancing rate: Average rates range from $13 to $25 per hour, according to Zippia.
3. Digital Marketing Consultant
What they do: A freelance digital marketing consultant specializes in providing expertise and guidance to clients in developing and executing effective digital marketing strategies. Typically, they possess knowledge in areas such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content marketing, paid advertising, email marketing, and analytics. They use this knowledge to help clients navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape and leverage various digital channels to reach their target audience.
Average freelancing rate: Most freelance marketing professionals charge between $50 and $200 per hour, according to Indeed.
4. Copywriter/Article Writer
What they do: A freelance writer writes persuasive and engaging content for various mediums. Their primary role is to create compelling written material that helps promote products, services, brands, or ideas and drive desired actions from the target audience. The rates for freelance writers have also increased with the integration of AI technology.
Average freelancing rate: Average hourly rate for freelance copywriting is $44.87 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter, or as much as $750 per 1,000-word article.
5. Content Creator
What they do: A freelance content creator produces various forms of engaging and valuable digital content for websites, blogs, social media, video channels, and other online platforms. Ultimately, a freelance content creator’s goal is to attract and engage the target audience while meeting the specific objectives of their clients or their own personal brand.
Average freelancing rate: The average hourly rate for a freelance content creator is about $56 per hour, or about $115,000 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.
6. Editor
What they do: The role of a freelance editor is to review, revise, and improve written content to ensure its clarity, coherence, accuracy, and overall quality. Freelance editors generally work across various industries and mediums, including books, articles, blogs, websites, academic papers, marketing materials, and more.
Average freelancing rate: The average hourly rate for a freelance editor on UpWork varies by area of expertise and experience. However, rates typically range from $30 to $100 per hour.
7. Social Media Manager
What they do: The responsibility of a freelance social media manager is to develop social media strategies that align with the client’s goals and target audience. To do this, they research the industry, competitors, and target market. Then, they create a comprehensive plan that outlines content themes, schedules, platforms, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track success.
Average freelancing rate: A freelance social media manager could charge anywhere from $35 to $350 per hour, depending on their expertise. According to Expert Market, a typical social media management package can cost a company around $750 per month.
8. Financial Consultant
What they do: A freelance financial consultant assists individuals, businesses, or organizations in making informed financial decisions, managing financial operations, and achieving their financial goals. They do this by conducting financial analyses and developing plans and strategies that meet their client’s specific financial goals.
Average freelancing rate: The average freelance rate for a financial consultant is about $46 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. A freelance financial consultant who works full-time makes about $96,000 per year.
9. Photographer
What they do: A freelance photographer is a professional who provides photography services on a freelance basis. Their primary role is to capture images that convey a specific message, tell a story, evoke emotions, or document moments and events. Freelance photographers work across various genres, including portrait, landscape, fashion, wedding, commercial, and more.
Average freelancing rate: The average hourly rate for a freelance photographer is $33 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.
10. Videographer
What they do: The primary role of a freelance videographer is to capture and create video content for various purposes, including events, documentaries, promotional campaigns, commercials, social media, and more. Typically, freelance videographers possess superior technical expertise and artistic vision that help them produce beautiful and engaging media.
Average freelancing rate: According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly rate for a freelance videographer is about $30 per hour.
11. Data Analyst
What they do: A freelance data analyst provides data analysis services to help individuals, businesses, or organizations make informed decisions and gain insights into various aspects of their operations. They do this by collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data that reveals certain patterns and trends from current business behaviors.
Average freelancing rate: The hourly rates for a freelance data analyst on UpWork range from $20 to $50 per hour, depending on their expertise.
12. Accountant
What they do: A freelance accountant assists individuals and businesses with their financial management, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and other accounting-related tasks. They do this by managing the client’s financial transactions, conducting analyses to reveal insights, providing income statements and other reports, and assisting with tax preparations.
Average freelancing rate: Freelance accountants charge about $25 per hour, on average, according to ZipRecruiter.
13. Bookkeeper
What they do: The primary role of a freelance bookkeeper is maintaining and managing financial records for individuals or businesses to ensure financial data remains accurate and organized. They do this by recording financial transactions, managing invoices and bank statements, reconciling accounts, and sometimes handling employee payroll.
Average freelancing rate: The average hourly rate for a freelance bookkeeper ranges from $18 to $25 per hour or more, according to Millenial Money Man.
14. Programmer
What they do: A freelance programmer writes, develops, and maintains software programs and applications according to client specifications or project requirements. They are very proficient in various programming languages and frameworks. They use their expertise to write code that creates new software programs, websites, mobile apps, and other digital products for their clients.
Average freelancing rate: The average hourly rate for a freelance programmer is $41 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.
15. Media Buyer
What they do: Freelance media buyers plan, negotiate, and purchase advertising space or media placements on behalf of clients. They help clients reach their target audience and maximize the impact of their advertising campaigns.
Average freelancing rate: Freelance media buyers on UpWork charge anywhere from $20 per hour to $225 per hour, often based on the scope and length of the project or contract.
16. Public Relations Manager
What they do: A freelance public relations manager is responsible for managing and enhancing the reputation and image of the individuals or businesses they work with. They achieve this by building positive relationships with the public, media, stakeholders, and target audiences through strategic planning and careful reputation management processes.
Average freelancing rate: According to Salary.com, the average rate for a freelance public relations manager falls between $25 and $31 per hour.
17. Online Teacher/Tutor
What they do: Online teachers or tutors who work in a freelance capacity leverage digital platforms and technology to deliver educational content and facilitate learning experiences for students across various subjects and levels. They use their expertise in a particular subject to develop instructional materials and lesson plans that are tailored to the specific needs of their students.
Average freelancing rate: The average hourly rate for a freelance online teacher is $64 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.
18. Mobile App Developer/Software Development
What they do: A freelance custom mobile app developer is a professional who provides app development services on a freelance basis. Their primary role is to design, develop, and create customized mobile or web applications based on client requirements and user demands.
Average freelancing rate: Freelance mobile app developers charge their clients between $61 and $80 per hour, according to Arc.dev.
19. Transcriptionist
What they do: Freelance transcriptionists convert spoken or recorded audio into written text. They listen to audio recordings, such as interviews, meetings, lectures, or dictations, and transcribe them accurately and efficiently.
Average freelancing rate: Rates for freelance transcriptionists on UpWork range from $15 to $55 per hour.
20. Customer Chat Support Assistant
What they do: Freelance customer support chat assistants work with companies to assist their online customers via live chat. They do this by being available to answer inquiries, resolve concerns, troubleshoot technical problems, and provide information about the product or service.
Average freelancing rate: Freelance chat support specialists on UpWork charge anywhere from $15 to $60 per hour, depending on their qualifications and experience.
The Pros and Cons of Freelancer Jobs
Freelancing offers incredible flexibility, particularly for those seeking work-from-home jobs. However, just like a standard nine-to-five job, freelancing possesses both pros and cons. For this reason, it’s important to carefully consider both the advantages and disadvantages of freelancer jobs, especially if you plan to leave a full-time job to do it.
Pros of freelance job types:
- Flexible schedules
- Can work anywhere
- Improved work-life balance
- Uncapped income potential
- Special tax deductions and write-offs
- Personal and professional independence and autonomy
As Paul Mendes, a top-rated UpWork freelancer, shares: “A freelancer has the freedom to pick the type of projects that they work on and the kind of clients that they want to work with. This is something that allows freelancers to really act in accordance with their personal values.”
Cons of freelance job types:
- Inconsistent income
- Can be an isolating profession
- The need to continuously seek new clients
- Paying self-employment taxes can be complicated
- A lack of benefits, such as health insurance or paid time off
For new freelancers, Mendes also explains: “For those that are just beginning their career as a freelancer, it can be difficult to start out due to your lack of experience; it can be challenging to build momentum when you were a freelancer just getting started and emerging into the field.”
Optimize Your Success With a Freelancer Job
“It’s not just a good time to be a freelancer, it’s a great time to be a well-paid freelancer.”
Laura Briggs
When done right, freelancing can be very rewarding. Whether you’re looking to freelance part-time for supplemental income, or considering taking the leap into a full-time freelancing career, doing so can open doors of opportunity and growth that traditional work models can’t. To ensure success with one of these “best freelance jobs,” explore additional resources and education. Doing so will prepare you in the best possible way for a sustainable and consistent freelancing career.
Resources to make the most of a freelance career:
- Read UpWork’s guide on Getting Started as a Freelancer.
- Read The Six-Figure Freelancer: Your Roadmap to Success in the Gig Economy by Laura Briggs.
- Read The Big Leap: A Guide to Freelancing for Creatives by Martina Flor.
- Enroll in The Complete Guide to Freelancing in 2023: Zero to Mastery.
If career uncertainty is still lingering, read:
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