Written By: Michael Gardon
If you want to earn some extra cash or become self-employed, you may be trying to learn about the best freelance jobs. You’re in luck! We’ve compiled some of the highest-paying options in the market. That way, you can spend less time researching different gigs and more time applying for them.
Getting a high paying freelance job is competitive. Think about it like this: you’re selling the company on a major investment in you, so you need to do everything you can to get an edge. Investing a little money to have a professional resume writing service polish up your resume can be the edge you need. Check out our guide to the best resume writing services to get started today.
If you’re ready to land a freelance job, start your search on ZipRecruiter! ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and you can apply for jobs with just one click!
15 Of The Highest-Paying Freelance Jobs
Here are eleven of the highest-paying freelance jobs available:
1. Virtual Assistant
Median National Salary: $39,000+
Education Required: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of Jobs: 3.4 million+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: -8% (decline)
Job Duties: Virtual assistants help business owners and executives with administrative or customer service-oriented tasks. As a virtual assistant, you might offer specialized services, like social media campaign management or event management.
For more information, check out our guide on how to become a virtual assistant and how to create a virtual assistant resume.
2. Bookkeeper
Median National Salary: $45,000+
Education Required: Some college (accounting-related coursework can be helpful)
Number of Jobs: 1.7 million+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: -5% (decline)
Job Duties: Bookkeepers record any money going in or out of a business, reconcile financial accounts, and prepare financial statements. As a bookkeeper, you might also process payroll, create budgets, or file tax returns.
3. Writer
Median National Salary: $69,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (typically)
Number of Jobs: 143,000+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 4% (slower than average)
Job Duties: Writers create various pieces of written content to inform, entertain, inspire, or persuade an audience or target market. As a writer, you could create blog articles, whitepapers, emails, social media posts, e-books, website copy, and more.
For more information, check out our guide to the best writing jobs and learn what to include on a writing resume.
4. Editor
Median National Salary: $63,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (typically)
Number of Jobs: 108,000+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: -5% (decline)
Job Duties: Editors refine written works to ensure they make sense, flow well, and are free from spelling and grammatical errors. As an editor, you'll give writers valuable feedback to improve their craft.
If you want to work as an editor, it may be wise to start by updating your resume. To leanr more, check out our guide to creating a copy editor resume.
5. Graphic Designer
Median National Salary: $50,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (typically)
Number of Jobs: 265,000+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 3% (slower than average)
Job Duties: Graphic designers create engaging images (generally with a computer) that enhance the text, represent a company’s brand, and compel a target market to take action. As a graphic designer, your work could get featured in digital and print formats.
For more information, check out our graphic designer job description and our guide to creating a graphic design resume.
6. Web Developer
Median National Salary: $78,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (typically)
Number of Jobs: 197,000+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 23% (much faster than average)
Job Duties: Web developers build and maintain websites for individuals and companies. As a web developer, you might also create content for the websites you make.
For more information, check out our guide to the highest paying tech jobs, our web developer job description, and our guide to creating a web developer resume.
7. Public Relations (PR) Specialist
Median National Salary: $62,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (typically)
Number of Jobs: 276,000+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 8% (faster than average)
Job Duties: Public relations specialists build and maintain a favorable public image for companies and influential people. As a public relations specialist, you may write speeches, draft press releases, answer queries from the media, and review marketing campaigns for brand cohesion.
For more information, check out our public relations job description.
8. Software Developer
Median National Salary: $109000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (typically)
Number of Jobs: 1.6 million+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 25% (much faster than average)
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Job Duties: Software developers create and maintain computer programs and applications. As a software developer, you might work on solutions for consumers or organizations.
For more information, learn how to get a job in IT, the best tech careers, and learn how to create a software developer resume.
9. Videographer
Median National Salary: $60,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (typically)
Number of Jobs: 81,000+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 12% (much faster than average)
Job Duties: Videographers film and edit videos. As a videographer, you might create films for personal clients (think a wedding video) or commercial clients (think a video advertisement).
10. Marketing Manager
Median National Salary: $133,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (typically)
Number of Jobs: 347,000+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 10% (average)
Job Duties: Marketing managers develop and execute promotional campaigns to generate leads for a business. As a marketing manager, you might be in charge of social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, and more.
For more information, check out our marketing manager resume guide and our marketing manager job description.
11. Interpreter
Median National Salary: $49,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (typically)
Number of Jobs: 69,000+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 20% (much faster than average)
Job Duties: Interpreters restate speech in another language to help parties communicate with each other. As an interpreter, you may also convert the spoken word into sign language to help the deaf understand a message.
12. Social Media Manager
Median National Salary: $133,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (typically)
Number of Jobs: 347,000+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 10% (average)
Job Duties: Social media managers are marketing managers that specialize in social media marketing for clients. Your role will be to use social media to create brand awareness, drive traffic, and increase conversions using social media networks like Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and others.
13. Accountant
Median National Salary: $77,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 1.4 million+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 6% (average)
Job Duties: Accountants prepare and examine financial records. They help clients with tax preparation, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and regulatory requirements.
To learn more about working as an accountant, check out our accountant job description and learn how to craft an accounting resume.
14. Consultant
Median National Salary: $93,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (typically)
Number of Jobs: 950,000+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 11% (much faster than average)
Job Duties: Consultants, like management consultants help organization’s improve their practices and processes. For example, a management consultant might work with a company to improve their company’s efficiency.
15. Computer Programmer
Median National Salary: $93,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 174,000+
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: -10% (decline)
Job Duties: Computer programmers writes and tests code for software applications, operating systems, and databases using programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++. They collaborate with software developers, engineers, and clients to design and develop software solutions, and troubleshoot and debug code to ensure optimal functionality.
If you are curious about working as a computer programmer, check out the main responsibilities in our computer programmer job description. For additional information, learn how to write a computer programmer resume.
Requirements And Skills For Freelancers
The skills and requirements freelancers need vary from job to job. For example, a web developer will need that have different technical skills than a copywriter. But, in general, these soft skills are great to have for all freelancers across the board:
- Communication skills: This covers both written and verbal communication skills which is critical in a freelancer role. With strong communication skills, you’ll be able to communicate well with all stakeholders involved in the project: client, other teams, organizations, or departments.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Being swift on your feet and being able to navigate problems and issues that arise are a sign of someone with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Time management: Being able to manage your time well throughout the project and maintain deadlines.
- Adaptability: The ability to change directions quickly, as needed and adapt to new situations.
- Organizational skills: This is about being well-organized, staying on top of your freelance project, communciation, and administrative tasks that go along with it.
- Self-motivated: The ability to work well alone without supervision, remain productive, and focused on your work.
Pros And Cons Of Working As A Freelancer
If you’re thinking of working as a freelancer, there are benefits and drawbacks to consider. Here are some of the pros and cons of working as a freelancer.
Pros of Freelancing
- Variety of work available
- High earning potential
- Flexibility
- Professional development opportunities
- Independence (including potentially, location independence)
Cons of Freelancing
- Lack of one-on-one employer support
- Isolation
- Irregular income
- No job security
Freelancing work can be very fruitful. You can potentially earn more as a freelancer than you would as a W2 employee. There’s also an opportunity to work a variety of different work assignments which can keep your work exciting and hold your engagement.
That coupled with the ability to work independently, potentially be location independent, with a flexible work schedule and enjoy professional development opportunities make freelancing a desirable profession to consider.
The drawbacks include lack of one-on-one employer support, since you likely will not be in an office setting alongside team members and a manager or supervisor. This can feel isolating working alone and only interacting over video conference, email, or phone call. Freelancing income can be irregular and there’s no job security like what would exist with a traditional W2 employee job.
How To Get High-Paying Work As A Freelancer
Landing high-paying freelance work can happen with many factors in play like specializing in a field, working on high-value projects, and showcasing your best work in a portfolio. Here are some things you can do to increase your chances of getting high-paying works as a freelancer:
- Create a professional portfolio: This is going to be where you work samples live. It will contain your best work, showing off your experience, and level of expertise.
- Network: Build a strong professional network and build a reputation for yourself as an expert in your industry. Take every opportunity to network whether it be at industry events like conferences or everyday opportunities like bumping into a potential client at the coffee shop.
- Set competitive rates: Ensure your rates are set appropriately, aligning with your level of expertise. Branding yourself as an industry expert and offering premium services goes along with this.
- Forge long-term relationships: Create excellent relationships with clients and keep those clients for the long run.
- Continuous learning and upskilling: This is about continued professional development to improve your knowledge and skills, which can be acquired through courses, training programs, professional certifications, etc.
Where To Find Freelance Jobs
You can find freelance jobs, or gigs, in many places. It’s good to know what the best job posting sites are. Here are three that you should check out to begin your search:
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is a web-based platform where you can easily search and apply for freelance jobs. Simply enter the type of gig you want into the search bar, use filters to narrow your results, and submit your resume to the desired positions.
You can also upload your resume to ZipRecruiter’s resume database so that recruiters and employers can find you!
For more information, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
Indeed
Indeed is a popular job board that pulls gigs from all over the internet. Similar to ZipRecruiter, you can apply for freelance jobs directly from the platform.
For more information, check out our Indeed review.
LinkedIn is a social media platform designed for professionals. You can use the website to apply for freelance jobs, advertise that you’re for hire, and communicate with potential clients.
For more information, check out our LinkedIn review.
Additional Freelance Resources
- The Best Freelance Sites
- Freelancing Courses
- How To Become A Freelancer
- How To Create A Freelance Resume
The Bottom Line
The best freelance jobs can put extra money in your pocket or help you start a new career. So, if you’re ready to search for your first gig, head to ZipRecruiter. But, if your resume needs a little help beforehand, consider working with one of our preferred picks for the best resume writing service.
