If you’ve arrived at this article, you’re either currently a freelancer or interested in becoming one. Either way, freelancing offers a range of benefits.
For one, the current job market is a freelancer’s playground, especially for those who work in design and marketing.
"There’s a high demand for people who can run successful social media campaigns, design engaging websites and create marketing strategies that work,” says Nicole Berg, senior director of enterprise talent services at Upwork. (Sidenote: you can do exactly that with Wix Studio.)
As companies continue to refine their digital footprint and strategies, this need will only continue to rise, Berg says.
“The freelance jobs most in demand for creatives on Upwork include graphic design, video editing, presentation design, illustration, image editing, 3D animation, video production, product and industrial design, cartoon and comic illustration and logo design,” says Berg. “Notably, graphic design remains among the top five most in-demand skills across all categories on the platform.”
So, how does that shake out compared to in-demand occupations forecasted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)? We crunched the data to determine the best freelance jobs, according to earnings and job opportunities over the next decade. And for a zoomed-in look at the next year or so, we tapped Berg’s expertise for more insight.
20 best freelance jobs
01. Art directors
Annual salary: $106,500
Over half of all art directors currently working are self-employed, per the BLS. What’s more, it’s anticipated that over 11,000 jobs (full-time and self-employed) will be open each year throughout the next decade. As Berg mentions, the demand for companies to remain ahead of the curve—and appeal to distracted consumers—has increased the need for art directors to take the reins for a variety of projects and campaigns.
02. Special effects artists and animators
Annual salary: $99,060
“Companies need top-notch multimedia content to capture attention,” Berg says. Currently, 59 percent of all these workers are self-employed. Indeed, it’s predicted that almost 7,000 special-effect and animator jobs will be open each year, especially as interest in video games and 3-D films grows.
03. Web and interface digital designers
Annual salary: $92,750
Due to retailers’ shift to online retail and mobile platforms, this occupation is forecast to grow faster than average, at around 8 percent, offering 16,500 jobs annually. Freelancers currently have one of the largest shares of work in this field, too. These skills are “highly sought after,” says Berg. (If you're ready to get started, here's how to get freelance design clients.)
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04. Industrial-organizational psychologists
Annual salary: $92,740
There are about 13,000 open jobs for psychologists each year. And, with most psychologists reportedly opting for self-employed work, this makes the field an especially ripe industry for freelancers.
05. Producers and directors
Annual salary: $82,510
Thanks to the ongoing dominance of streamers in film and television, this occupation is growing faster than average, posting almost 14,000 open jobs annually. Berg says companies are becoming reliant on video and multimedia content to diversify their marketing campaigns, fanning the need for these freelance roles.
06. Technical writers
Annual salary: $80,050
For those undaunted by AI, consider honing these skills to attract technical writing gigs. “While areas of work like writing and translation have seen some disruption from AI, we’re seeing an increase in average hourly rates in these fields," Berg says. "A decrease in volume is offset by an increase in wages, as more complex and high-value work that can’t be replicated by AI gains traction."
The job pool, however, is somewhat smaller. Around 4,500 job openings are forecast to be available each year, making it a potentially more competitive field for freelancers overall. Freelancers looking to get in on this work might have the best luck “working for a technical consulting firm” for “short-term or recurring assignments, such as writing about a new product,” according to the BLS.
07. Industrial designers
Annual salary: $76,250
About a third of all industrial designers are self-employed. This field is a little more fickle than others, however, as only about 2,000 jobs are forecast to be open each year.
08. Writers and authors
Annual salary: $73,690
Whether you’re building out a newsletter or hoping to score a book deal, there’s some potential good news for writers. These workers stand to benefit from the 15,100 job openings each year, plus almost 70 percent of all writers and authors are self-employed. Driving this demand is the shift to online media and the ongoing “rise of self-publishing,” per the BLS. Writing is also one of the best digital marketing side hustles.
09. Entertainment and recreation managers
Annual salary: $73,460
Anyone up for a game of pickleball? Apparently, the craze in the game—in addition to golf, is contributing to the galloping increase of 11 percent in job openings. Self-employed workers are right in the mix of job “environments,” who are set to get in on the 4,800 job openings per year.
10. Music directors and composers
Annual salary: $62,590
From leading orchestras to penning new film scores, music directors and composers are largely freelance, the second highest form of employment in the field. It’s expected that over 5,000 jobs will be open annually for this work.
11. Interior designers
Annual salary: $62,510
Between renovations and updates, the demand for interior designers is predicted to keep pace with average job growth. A large portion of these workers are freelance and stand to enjoy the available 8,800 open jobs per year.
12. Film and video editors, camera operators
Annual salary: $61,800
Companies will look to these workers to help stand out in a packed digital space, says Berg. There will be about 7,000 jobs open annually.
13. Set and exhibit designers
Annual salary: $59,490
Predominantly composed of freelancers, set and exhibit designers will have the opportunity to score one of the 2,400 job openings per year. “Employment increases will be driven by growth in live-action film and television. Set designers are required in the entertainment industry for a variety of projects, such as developing the scenery for a live-action movie or re-creating the landscape for a historical play,” per BLS.
14. Event planners
Annual salary: $56,920
Work conferences are back in a big way, in fact these meetings are one of the driving factors—in addition to weddings—driving the 16,500 open jobs per year. But freelancers might have more difficulty scoring these jobs, as self-employed event planners are less common.
15. Broadcast, sound and video technicians
Annual salary: $54,160
Berg says she’s seen an uptick in the need for creatives specializing in multimedia work, which explains the increased demand for broadcast, sound and video technicians. It’s forecasted that near 13,000 jobs will be open annually.
16. Craft and fine artists
Annual salary: $52,910
Perhaps unsurprisingly, most craft and fine artists are self-employed. It’s predicted that around 5,000 jobs for this work will be available each year.
17. Fitness trainers and instructors
Annual salary: $46,480
The wellness boom isn’t going anywhere. These jobs are predicted to grow by 14 percent. Largely freelance (and part-time), these professionals will have a chance to benefit from the 73,700 job openings per year.
18. Skincare specialists
Annual salary: $43,200
Spurred by the increase in “mini facials and mobile facials,” it’s expected that 12,800 jobs will be open per year. Further, job growth is forecasted at 10 percent, exceeding the average rate.
19. Photographers
Annual salary: $40,760
Self-employed photographers may have something to look forward to. While the range of jobs and clients can run the gamut, the BLS pointed out that corporations will be in search of commercial photographers to shoot their ad campaigns. It’s forecasted that 13,700 jobs will be open each year to a field predominately made up of self-employed photographers.
20. Barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists
Annual salary: $35,080
This field is growing faster than average—around 7 percent—and is anticipated to offer the highest number of open jobs per year: 89,100. Similar to skincare specialists, these workers benefit from ongoing treatments and services, boosting this number.
Ready to go full-on freelance? Check out how to scale a freelance business, how to build a freelance community, how to transition to full-time freelancing, and how to become a freelance developer.
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