Key Takeaways
- Top freelance jobs include web developer ($30-$180/hr), UX/UI designer ($25-$75/hr), copywriter ($50+/hr), PR manager ($70/hr), SEO specialist ($33/hr), video editor ($30-$150/hr), graphic designer ($27/hr), and illustrator (up to $250/illustration).
- The best platforms for finding freelance jobs are Upwork, Fiverr, ZipRecruiter, Freelancer.com, and PeoplePerHour. Niche-specific platforms include Behance, Dribble, 99Designs for designers, FreelanceWriting.com for writers, and ProductionHUB for video editors.
- To become a successful freelancer, choose your niche, create a profile on freelancing platforms, find jobs, submit proposals, and interview with clients. Succeed by demonstrating discipline, time management, persistence, and resilience in the face of rejection.
21 Most In-Demand Freelance Jobs
| Freelance Job | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Web Developer | $30 – $180 per hour |
| UX/UI Designer | $25 – $75 per hour |
| Copywriter | $50+ per hour |
| PR Manager | $70 per hour |
| SEO Specialist | $33 per hour |
| Video Editor | $30 – $150 per hour |
| Graphic Designer | $27 per hour |
| Illustrator | up to $250 per illustration |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $200 per hour |
| 3D Modeler | $25 per hour |
| Digital Marketer | $50 – $100 per hour |
| Social Media Manager | $15 – $50 per hour |
| Consultant | $100 per hour |
| Technical Writer | $41/hour |
| Software Developer | $42/hour |
| Accountant | $35/hour |
| Data Analyst/Data Scientist | $30-$55 per hour |
| Translator | $29 per hour |
| Virtual Assistant (VA) | $20-$15 per hour |
| Customer Support | $10-$15 per hour |
| Online Tutor | $20 per hour |
Virtual Assistant (VA)
A virtual assistant (VA) is someone who assists businesses virtually, from a remote location, such as a home.
VAs are mainly in demand by entrepreneurs and small businesses who need help in various administrative and small tasks.
While the day-to-day tasks each VA does may differ from company to company, here’s the list of most common tasks you’ll be assigned as a virtual assistant:
- Social media management – updating profiles, publishing posts, replying to comments and messages, and extracting data for analytics.
- Research – sourcing web information, facts, and figures through sites like Quorra, Reddit, Yahoo Answers, and more.
- Administrative – managing calendars and emails.
- Personal – booking flights and hotels, making restaurant reservations.
- Customer service – answering customer complaints and helping them solve their issues.
You can find such jobs on various job marketplaces, such as ZipRecruiter. Earnings depend on the company that hires you, but in general, you can expect to make $10–$20 per hour.
Web Developer
A web developer’s job is to take a web design and turn it into a functional website by writing lines of code using computer languages like HTML and CSS.
Since web development is a complex job, there are 3 different types of web developers, who usually work as a team to launch the finished project.
- The Front-End Developer’s job is to implement the design in practice. So, they write code to make the web design provided by the client or web designer live.
- The Back-End Developer ensures the website works smoothly on the server side by creating the code that powers the website’s servers, database, and applications.
- Full-Stack Developer’s job is more complex as it unites both front and back-end developer’s jobs. Full-stack developers are usually contracted to do smaller projects or manage and oversee the development of the overall project.
Accordingly, the hourly rates for the 3 different types of web developers differ, ranging from $30/hour as a front-end developer to $180/hour as a full-stack developer.
Best place to find freelance web developer jobs: TopTal and Upwork.
UX/UI Designer
As a UX/UI designer, your job is to maximize the usability and user experience of digital products such as websites, software, and apps.
A UX designer ensures that the product makes sense to the user by creating a logical flow to get from one step to another. A UI designer ensures that each page corresponds to that flow visually.
Best place to find freelance UX/UI designer jobs: Dribbble, Behance, and TopTal.
Copywriter
If you’re a skilled writer and create content that captivates and persuades the audience, freelance writing jobs might be the perfect fit for you. In fact, copywriters are responsible for creating various marketing materials, including slogans, audio scripts, blogs, advertising texts, website copies, social media copies, and more.
Best place to find freelance copywriter jobs: FreelanceWriting.com, FlexJobs, Fiverr, and Upwork.
PR Manager
A PR manager’s main duty is to maintain the public image of a brand, company, or individual. Your day-to-day job may include distributing press releases, working with media outlets, and managing social media.
However, since a PR manager job is one of the highest paying ones and employers seek professionals, you’ll need at least 5 years of experience to get a job.
On the other hand, if you’re an established PR manager, you can easily turn your expertise into a freelance business.
Best place to find freelance PR manager jobs: LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and Upwork.
SEO Specialist
Since every company wants to rank high on Google, SEO specialist jobs are among the most in-demand freelance jobs today.
As an SEO specialist, you need to be knowledgeable in how search engines work, do keyword research and optimize the website’s content so that it ranks high on search engines like Google.
The best SEO specialists know how to perform both on-site and off-site optimizations. Accordingly, their average pay rates might be higher than the ones I mentioned above.
Best place to find freelance SEO professional jobs: Upwork.
Video Editor
As a video editor, your job is to take raw video clips and edit them to create an interesting and engaging story.
And today, video content is one of the most popular types of content out there. It’s commonly used in the advertising, movie, and entertainment industries. But that’s not all – videos are also recorded on events like weddings and corporate events.
Best place to find freelance video editor jobs: ProductionHUB, Viedit, and VideoPixie.
Graphic Designer
A graphic designer is a person who visually communicates with the audience. As a graphic designer, your job is to create visual concepts using computer software or by hand.
Graphic designers are usually in-demand for various projects and often create visual materials for websites, ads, packaging, and more.
Pro tip: Prospective clients decide to work with you based on your portfolio. So take some time to build up your portfolio, even if you haven’t worked for clients before.
Best place to find freelance graphic designer jobs: Behance, Dribbble, 99Designs, Fiverr, and Upwork.
Illustrator
Since creating illustrations requires a lot of creative and technical work, illustrator jobs are one of the most in-demand freelance jobs.
So, if you’re skilled at creating sketches, illustrations, and cartoon characters, becoming a freelance illustrator might be the right option for you.
Best place to find freelance illustrator jobs: Behance, 99Designs, and Dribbble.
Cybersecurity Specialist
In today’s digitally-driven world, cybersecurity is crucial. That’s why cybersecurity is becoming one of the most in-demand freelance jobs.
Cybersecurity specialists are professionals, who are responsible for designing, testing, implementing, and monitoring network or website security measures.
Since this is a highly specialized and important field, top freelancers earn $200/hour. Moreover, you can also create one-time security set-up packages, sell them for a flat fee and even charge your clients a monthly maintenance and monitoring service fee.
Best place to find freelance cybersecurity specialist jobs: TopTal.
3D Modeler
If you have 3D modeling skills and technical education, you can also become a freelance 3D modeler. 3D modeling is an in-demand skill that’s used in many different industries, including:
- Video games
- Virtual reality
- Marketing
- Computer-aided design
- Manufacturing
- Scientific and medical imaging
- TV and motion pictures
- 3D printing
Best place to find freelance 3D modeler jobs: CG Trader, DesignCrowd, and Cad Crowd.
Digital Marketer
In today’s world, more and more businesses go online. That’s why digital marketing jobs is among the most in-demand freelance jobs.
The digital marketing manager creates the brand’s online marketing strategy. Accordingly, they acquire team members from different professionals and ensure they follow the strategy to reach their digital marketing goals.
Best place to find freelance digital marketer jobs: Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn.
Social Media Manager
Just like the digital marketing manager, professional social media managers are valuable for modern companies as well.
A social media manager is responsible for creating a social media strategy for the brand and implementing that strategy to engage with their audience via social media platforms.
Your daily duties as a social media manager may include:
- Creating the brand’s social media strategy
- Managing the team of copywriter and graphic designer to create content for social media (in some cases a social media manager creates copy and prepares images by him/herself)
- Engage with your audience via comments and direct messages
Best place to find freelance social media manager jobs: Fiverr and Upwork.
If you’re really good at social media and enjoy sharing your experiences, opinions or life with a large audience, you can also become an Instagram influencer and make money out of posting on the platform.
Consultant
A consultant is a professional in any niche that can provide their professional expertise to entrepreneurs or business owners who need it.
Let’s check out some of the most in-demand consultancy industries along with the average hourly pay rates:
| Industry | Average Pay Rate |
|---|---|
| Accounting | $96 – $106 /hour |
| Financial Planning | $104 – $147 /hour |
| Business Coaching | $100 – $130 /hour |
| HR Consulting | $100 – $200 /hour |
| IT Consulting | $68 – $115 /hour |
| Real Estate Consulting | $107 – $160 /hour |
| Home Appraisal | $262 – $423 /hour |
Best place to find freelance consultant jobs: Upwork, Expert360, and ConsultingHeads.
Technical Writer
A technical writer is a professional who creates technical documentation and communicates complex information. As a technical writer, you’ll write instruction manuals, user manuals, journal articles, white papers, and more.
Since a technical writer is a professional who needs to take complex and relatively complicated information and put it together in an easy-to-understand way, they can typically charge higher rates.
The best places to find freelance technical writer jobs are Textbroker and Upwork.
Software Developer
Software developer jobs are among the most in-demand freelance jobs. This role involves designing and developing software programs through coding, debugging, testing, and troubleshooting.
As a software developer, you should have a strong knowledge of HTML, PHP, and XML.
Pro tip: Having a strong portfolio will help you land jobs with higher rates than the average.
Best place to find freelance software developer jobs: TopTal & Upwork.
Accountant
If you’re an accountant, you might already be working remotely. Maybe even servicing 2 or more companies at the same time.
But if you’re still unsure what to do as an accountant, don’t worry—you can find a number of courses on Udemy that can help you become one.
As an accountant, you maintain financial records and track financial transactions. You’re also responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the company’s financial documents and filing tax reports.
Note that to become an accountant, you’ll be required to have a bachelor’s degree and a CPA certification will help you jumpstart your career.
Best place to find freelance accountant jobs: Accountingfly, Remotive & AccountantList.
Data Analyst / Data Scientist
Any type of data is extremely important to companies of all sizes. However, they can’t do much without a dedicated person who will analyze their data.
A data analyst or data scientist collects and analyzes data using data analysis tools. The data the analyst processes helps employers or clients identify various facts and trends and make important decisions accordingly.
Best place to find freelance data analyst jobs: Upwork, LinkedIn, and AngelList.
Translator
If you’re a bilingual person, you might as well use that skill to become a freelance translator.
As a translator, you convert information from one language to another in written form. Accordingly, you must be proficient in both languages that you want to translate.
Best place to find freelance translator jobs: Translate.com, OneHour, Tethras, and more.
Customer Support
Do you feel comfortable communicating with customers and enjoy helping them resolve their issues? Then a freelance customer support job is probably the best option for you.
Nowadays, customer service is many companies’ number one priority. That’s why they’re hiring customer support representatives who often work remotely.
As a freelance customer support agent, you’ll respond to customers via phone, email, or social media.
Best place to find freelance customer support jobs: TTEC, Remote, Pink Callers, Indeed, and more.
Online Tutor
Online tutoring make the perfect remote freelance jobs for teachers and students alike. Regardless of your age or current commitments, you can share your expertise in one subject or another.
Tutoring online involves teaching students in an interactive digital classroom. Depending on what type of online tutoring job you’ll choose, you might teach a group of students or host a one-on-one class.
Who is a Freelancer?
A freelancer is a self-employed person, offering services and providing them from a remote location.
The company does not officially employ freelancers. Rather they are independent contractors who offer services and get paid an hourly rate or on a per-job basis.
And since freelancers aren’t employed by one specific company, they typically provide services to multiple clients at one time.
One of the most attractive things about freelancing is that you can be location independent and work from the comfort of your home or even while traveling. Plus, you have the freedom to manage your schedule and work at the time of the day when you feel the most productive.
What is a Freelance Job?
We’ve discussed who a freelancer is. Accordingly, a freelance job is any job that doesn’t employ a person but rather orders service from them.
But what are some of the most common freelance jobs? In fact, there’s no straightforward answer, as most service-based jobs can be done freelance.
However, some of the most common freelancing jobs are considered to be within creative industries like graphic design, web development, copywriting and more.
Keep reading this article to discover the 20 most in-demand freelance jobs and the best platforms for finding them.
Traits & Characteristics Needed as a Freelancer
There are a few qualities and characteristics you should possess to become a successful freelancer. Let’s take a look at the list of most important skills:
- Discipline is extremely necessary to stay on track. While no boss is watching you when you spend an hour scrolling through the Facebook feed instead of working, you have to restrict yourself to those attractions and focus on work.
- Time management and organization—you’re responsible for many different tasks and have no manager to organize them for you. That’s why it’s important to have strong organizational skills so you can stay on top of your deadlines.
- Persistence is always important as it keeps you moving toward success, even on days when you lack confidence in yourself.
- Resilience – as a freelancer, you’ll get rejected at times, especially at the beginning of your journey. But being able to resist those rejections and keep going is what will get you closer to your goals.
Is Freelance a Good Career?
Freelancing is a great career choice, especially if you want to shape your workday as you wish.
Additionally, freelancing not only gives you location and time independence but also allows you to set financial goals and increase your earnings while you acquire more clients.
However, freelancing is hard work, especially in the first few months or years and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. That’s why it’s important to choose the right gig job for your preferences.
Let’s examine the main pros and cons of freelancing so you can decide whether it is a good career choice for you.
Pros & Cons of Freelancing
Pros
- Flexible work schedule: You can choose when to work and set a schedule that fits your lifestyle and other commitments.
- Location independence – you have the freedom to work from home, from coffee shops, from a shared workspace, or even while traveling.
- More control – you can set your financial goals and move towards them by acquiring more clients, increasing your rates, or doing both.
- Choice and variety – you can choose what projects to work on, whereas as an employee you have to work on whatever your boss assigns you for.
Cons
- Less stability – freelancing doesn’t guarantee future work and your financial stability depends on reaching enough clients to fulfill your financial goals.
- Fewer benefits— as a freelancer, you won’t get corporate benefits like insurance, pension plans, gym memberships, or others. You are responsible for finding and funding your perks and benefits.
Where to Find Freelance Jobs?
There are many different platforms where you can find freelance jobs.
Some of the best freelancing platforms include:
You can also try other job search sites to find freelance jobs from home.
However, not all freelancing platforms are best for every job—some are better for specific jobs, which I’ll mention below.
How Can a Beginner Start Freelancing?
The best thing about freelancing is that everyone can get freelance jobs, even with no experience.
Starting freelancing as a beginner is as simple as deciding what it is that you’ll be offering as a freelancer and the freelancing platform. After that you’ll just need to follow the easy steps below:
- Create your profile
- Look for job posts
- Submit your first proposal
- Interview with a client
- Accept the contract
Let’s take a look how you can start freelancing as a beginner and how can you apply online for freelance jobs on Upwork.
