What are five high-paying freelance skills?

August 20, 2024

I ran into my old journalism lecturer at a social function recently. When I mentioned I was freelance writing, he asked, “Is that a polite way of saying you’re between jobs?’” If so, I responded, it means I’ve been ‘between jobs’ for more than 20 years now as I’ve added to my freelance skills.

I earn a living freelancing and freelance writing isn’t even one of the highest-paying freelance skills of 2024. (BTW, here are the highest-paying freelance writing writing skills to know in 2024.)

Freelancing—in a whole range of fields beyond writing—is no longer just an alternative career path.

Thanks to technological advancements, changing work preferences, and the global shift toward remote work post-pandemic, freelancing is now a legitimate mainstream option offering significant earning potential, flexibility, and opportunity.

In 2020, the cross-border money transfer service Payoneer surveyed 7,000 freelancers from more than 150 countries and found that the worldwide average rate charged by freelancers was $21, higher than the $19 average rate from two years earlier.

Those don’t sound like the sort of dollars that would entice anyone to quit their day job.

But such a figure vastly under-represents the pay packets earned by people who are working at the upper echelons of the pay scale. In order to reach that status, you need to adopt some high-paying skills for freelancers.

Whether you’re a seasoned freelancer, or a beginner freelancer new to the freelance market, focussing on in-demand skills such as mobile app development, AI development, customer relationship management (CRM), website development, or social media content creation, can open doors to top-paying projects.

Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal also provide the infrastructure to connect with clients and manage freelance work efficiently, paving the path toward success in the freelance economy as you add on the skills of a freelancer clients want. (Here’s how to snag a download of 50 freelance sites that list freelance jobs.)

There are diverse opportunities available for professionals navigating the evolving landscape of work, says Matti Yahav, Chief Marketing Officer at Fiverr.

“By aligning (with) these burgeoning industries and cultivating in-demand skills, aspiring individuals can unlock pathways to financial success and professional fulfillment,” Yahav says.

The 5 highest-paying freelance skills for 2024

When you’re ready to carve out your career at the more lucrative end of the freelance market, it’s well worth boning up on the following skills as well as the highest-paying freelance writing skills.

  1. Mobile app development

Mobile app development is one of the skills of a freelancer that involves creating software applications that run on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. They’re typically developed for platforms like iOS (Apple) and Android (Google). Mobile app development is one of the high-demand freelance skills. Mobile app developers need a strong grounding in programming languages and development tools and frameworks. Though many gain this knowledge through a computer science degree, self-taught developers can also succeed.

The Business of Apps says about 27 million developers were building for mobile in 2022, pointing out that software for mobile “permeates every business vertical on the planet”. That means the desktop or mobile app software developer profession has seen its popularity skyrocketing—which is why you might want to add it to your list of freelancing skills. While the Business of Apps notes that independent mobile app developers earn about $1500 a month on average, there are ‘Pro’ developers on Fiverr charging more than $6000 per project. Highly experienced developers and those in major tech hubs can potentially earn more.

2. AI Development

If Netflix, Amazon, or Spotify has ever suggested the perfect movie, book, or song, you’ve seen the work of an AI developer in motion. Developing recommendation algorithms that analyze user preferences and behavior to highlight related content, products,or services, is just one task attributed to the burgeoning field of AI development.

More broadly, The Code Institute says AI developers “design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions.” They create algorithms and systems that allow machines to perform tasks that would otherwise require human input and intelligence as a freelancer skill. AI developers work on machine learning models, neural networks, natural language processing (NLP), data analysis, and computer vision. Their skills are useful in a wide range of fields, including healthcare (medical imaging and diagnostics) and finance (fraud detection and credit scoring).

You’ll need a sound background in mathematics, along with proficiency in programming languages to secure a gig as an AI developer, but the financial rewards are among the highest in the tech industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the median salary in 2023 was $145,080 per year. Not too shabby!

The surge in demand for AI services underscores the growing importance of technology-driven solutions across sectors, says Yahav. “With searches for ‘AI influencer’ skyrocketing by 63.05% and inquiries for ‘AI SaaS’ experiencing a staggering 14.61% increase, it’s evident that businesses are keen to harness the power of AI to drive innovation and growth,” he says.

3. CRM Management

Zendesk says that more than nine in ten companies now use customer relationship management (CRM) software, making this another high-demand area to pursue for a freelancing skill. CRM developers are professionals with programming and coding expertise who gather customer information for companies to help them track, store and organize customer data, according to Career Karma. CRM tools also assist companies in streamlining the sales process, finding new leads, boosting profitability, and strengthening brand loyalty.

As the eCommerce sector continues its robust expansion, Shopify is emerging as a favored platform for small businesses, Yahav says. “Freelancers proficient in Shopify design and marketing are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, with earning potential reaching up to $3,000 per project,” he says. A combination of programming, social skills, and problem-solving freelancer skills are required to earn the big bucks. Discover CRM software that’s on our list of best apps for writers.

4. Website development

There are a staggering 1.11 billion websites in the world, with three new websites built every second, according to Forbes Advisor. Website developers are the people charged with the responsibility of creating and maintaining these sites, and ensuring they attract attention amid the noise.  Website developers might focus on the front-end (user-facing) side of the equation, while back-end developers make websites functional and secure, ComputerScience.org notes. Full-stack developers handle the entire web development process. These aren’t necessarily easy skills to develop but they are worthy best freelancing skills to learn for staying power in this field.

The numbers give some sense of the possibilities for professionals in this field. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says that overall employment of web developers and digital designers is set to grow 16 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The median pay is $92,750 per year, though Pro web designers on Fiverr are charging around the $15,000 market for a single premium project. (BTW, how much can you make on fiverr per month?)

As with the other inclusions on this list, it’s important to master different programming languages and tools, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python and Ruby. Some develop these high-paying skills for freelancers via college and university education classes while others pick them up through online courses and coding bootcamps.

5. Social media content creation

The creator economy is massive. Linktree’s 2022 Creator Report revealed that there are around 200 million social media content creators, defined as “individuals who use their influence, creativity, or skills to aggregate and monetize their audience.” While most only start earning at the six-and-a-half-month’s mark, 1 in 10 influencers earn more than $100,000 per year, while the top three percent are generating more than half a million a year. This seems to settle the argument over whether content creation is a “real job.” (Time for your parents to stop rolling their eyes at it!)

While many universities offer courses (variously titled content and social media marketing, content creation, digital media, and the like), it’s also possible to learn ‘on the job,’ with lots of resources publicly available. According to Fiverr, searches for ‘social media content creator’ are up 58%, suggesting that this is an important area to watch.

“Businesses are actively seeking skilled freelancers to bolster their social media presence,” Yahav says. “Roles such as SEO backlinks, Google Ads campaigns, and social media content creation are in high demand, offering earning ranges of up to $2,000 per project.”

Whether you’re a seasoned long-term freelance pro or a newbie, focusing on in-demand skills such as mobile app development, AI development, CRM management, website development, and social media content creation can help carve out your corner in a bustling marketplace. Companies are willing to pay and that’s why these are some of the highest-paying freelance skills you should know in order to make good money as a freelancer.

Frequently asked questions about the highest-paying freelance skills

Here are common freelance skills questions asked and answered about high demand freelance skills:

Getting your first freelance gig might be the hardest part of the process. Gaining qualifications is helpful but, in some of these areas, optional. When you feel you’re good to go, focus on building a freelance portfolio which will showcase your skills with sample projects, open-source contributions, or case studies that showcase your know-how.

While you might not rely completely on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal, creating profiles with these sites might serve to ‘turn on the tap’ and thus ensure a steady flow of clients. (Is Fiverr worth it?) Network and seek referrals by joining professional communities, attending industry events, and connecting with peers and potential clients on LinkedIn. Word-of-mouth referrals can also be a great way to land your first gig.

What are some of the freelance challenges faced in these high-paying fields?

The best freelancing skills are important to have in your freelance toolkit. But, high-earning freelancers still face a range of obstacles. Here are a few freelance challenges:

  • Staying current with technology is crucial, making continuous learning through online courses, webinars and subscriptions to industry publications essential.

  • Managing client expectations requires clear and frequent communication in the form of regular updates (and usually a bit of problem-solving). Ensuring you have a thorough understanding of requirements before starting a project is also important.  These are the top questions to ask freelance clients.

  • Balancing multiple projects can test the best of us, making effective time management and organizational skills essential. Many successful freelancers use project management tools like Trello or Asana to keep track of deadlines and deliverables.

How can I ensure my freelance rates are competitive yet fair for these high-paying skills?

Setting competitive yet fair rates involves knowing your worth, while keeping one eye on the market. Use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Glassdoor, or check online forums, to research the going rates. Consider your experience and skill level by factoring in your expertise, years of experience, and the complexity of the projects you handle. Soon you’ll be earning $100 an hour—or more—freelancing.

You’re a specialist with advanced skills? You can – and should – charge higher rates. Also, just as hotels and airlines do, adjust your rates based on demand. If you find yourself consistently booked out, or receiving more referrals than you can handle, it might be time to raise your rates as a demand management strategy.

Finally, don’t forget to account for overheads and expenses. Overlooking these costs of freelancing can put a real crimp in your take-home pay.