The best freelance jobs for 2024 that are in-demand and high-paying

Now more than ever, professionals are transitioning to freelance work to gain freedom and control over their careers. Freelancing can also offer the opportunity to make a good salary, especially if your services are in high demand. So what are the best freelancer jobs to target?

In this article, we list some of the top freelancing jobs of the moment. We’ll discuss:

• Why these jobs offer opportunities for freelancers

• The expected growth for each position over the next decade

• The average pay you can expect, along with some tips to increase your salary

1. Copywriter

If you love to write, consider becoming a freelance copywriter. These freelancers create content for businesses to boost traffic, engagement, or sales. They can write different types of content, such as website copy, articles, advertisements, emails, white papers, and more.

The job outlook for copywriters is fairly rosy. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of writers to grow by 5% by 2033. As a freelance copywriter, you can work with clients across the world.

Besides its expected job growth, copywriting can also offer a high earning potential. Writers earn an average of $73,690 per year. By specializing in a niche, such as technical writing, you may be able to charge higher rates.

2. Social media manager

Are you a social media whiz? Becoming a social media manager could be one of the best freelancer jobs for you. You’ll create targeted, engaging strategies to boost brand awareness and sales across various social media platforms. You can work with different brands on their projects or provide expert advice on social media marketing.

Many businesses understand the value of using social media to target their audiences, so they’re looking for professionals who can help. The expected job growth for public relations specialists, which includes social media managers, is 6% by 2033, according to the BLS. The average annual salary in this field is $66,750.

3. Data scientist

Data scientists interpret information to help companies forecast trends and make predictions. In this field, freelance opportunities involve working with clients or businesses on data projects. You may complete one-off projects to clean datasets or secure long-term contracts to develop data systems and dashboards.

Projected employment growth for data scientists is a whopping 36% over the next decade, according to the BLS. Data scientists can also make healthy wages. The average annual pay is $108,020, making it one of the best freelancer jobs for those who want a lucrative salary.

4. Photographer

Creative types with a great eye for detail and the desire to work flexibly may find freelance photography to be the ideal job. If you’re able to capture inspiring and high-quality images of events, products, places, or people, you’ll be on your way to getting high-paying photography gigs. 

As one of the best freelancer jobs, the photography field is projected to increase by 4% by 2033, per the BLS. The median annual wage for photographers is $40,760, but you can expect to raise your rates significantly as you gain experience and build a strong career portfolio.

5. Accountant

There are plenty of freelance accounting opportunities, so if you’ve got the right education and experience, you can expect to be busy. Freelance accountants can provide accurate financial information, maintain records, analyze profit and loss, or oversee auditing. You might work directly for small enterprises or support existing accounting departments in larger companies during busy fiscal periods.

If you’re a newly certified accountant, getting some experience through an internship or a part-time opportunity can help you launch your freelancing career. Employment of accountants is projected to grow by 6% through 2033, according to the BLS. The median annual wage for accountants is $79,880.

6. Web designer

If you’re both creative and technical, working as a web designer may be among the best freelancer jobs for you. In this role, you can create websites tailored to client requirements or optimize existing websites for traffic and functionality. It’s even a beginner-friendly freelance option, as you can learn by using drag-and-drop website builders or completing programming courses.

Web designers are in high demand. The BLS projects overall employment in this field to grow by 8% by 2033. Web designers make an annual salary of $98,540 per year—making a six-figure salary a reasonable goal as you grow your skills and experience.

7. Editor

Editors review text for structure, style, and grammar to produce error-free content and meet clients’ requirements. Freelance editorial work may be right for you if you’ve got a strong command of English and a meticulous eye for detail. As a freelance editor, you can work for different clients to deliver high-quality material.

While the projected job outlook for editors is expected to decline slightly by 2%, there are still opportunities for you to break into this field. In particular, many companies continue to shift their focus from traditional publications to online media. By providing editing services for digital content, you will have a greater chance of finding and landing clients.

The pay you can expect as a freelance editor will depend on your experience level. Professional editors make an average salary of $75,020 a year.

8. Business analyst

For more seasoned professionals, working as a freelance business analyst or consultant can be fulfilling and lucrative. You’ll help clients optimize their operations by solving complex business challenges. You’ll also find practical ways for companies to improve their performance and profitability.

It’s one of the best freelancer jobs for professionals who have experience in finance, marketing, human resources, or similar areas. There’s a great job outlook for business analysts, with an above-average growth rate of 11% projected in the next 10 years, according to the BLS. These professionals earn an average annual salary of $99,410, but there’s room to grow as you gain experience.

9. Financial consultant

If you have a background in finance, becoming a freelance financial consultant or analyst can be a good choice for a flexible career. Financial consultants advise clients, including individuals and businesses, on ways to build wealth or increase profits. They may recommend investments, manage portfolios, and provide input on taxes.

Financial consultants can work with a wide range of people and businesses, which can open the door for you to find many freelance opportunities in the field. The BLS expects employment of financial analysts to grow 9% by 2033. There’s also the opportunity to make a good salary, as financial analysts make $99,010 per year on average.

10. Artificial intelligence (AI) engineer

AI is a rapidly growing field that is revolutionizing the world, so it’s inevitable that this technology will create new jobs. Freelance AI engineers use machine learning algorithms and AI technologies to develop software programs or systems. They work with clients to build, test, and improve AI applications.

As you might expect, there’s going to be a huge demand for freelance AI engineers over the next decade. The BLS projects employment of computer and information research scientists to grow 26% by 2033. Specifically, the agency notes the need for AI professionals who can create new technologies.

AI engineers can also make some of the highest salaries among all freelancers. The average salary in this field is $145,080 per year.

11. Tutor

Thanks to virtual learning, there’s an ever-increasing demand for tutors, and good teachers are hard to find. A freelance tutor teaches subjects to students and evaluates their progress. You can tutor children and teens who need extra help in school, or you can work with adults in a specific area. For example, you may offer English classes for adults who speak another language.

This field is expected to have moderate job growth of 1% by 2033, according to the BLS. Despite a more limited growth, you can still find opportunities by networking in your community or expanding your services to teach people across the world. Tutors make an average salary of $39,580 per year, though you may be able to charge higher rates based on your experience.

12. App developer

Many businesses invest resources into developing mobile applications for their clients or customers. An app developer is one of the best freelancer jobs to pursue if you enjoy technology and have a programming background. As an app developer, you will develop, build, test, and troubleshoot mobile apps for a range of businesses or clients.

If you’re just starting to freelance, you can take on small gigs before moving onto bigger projects. There should be plenty of work out there, as the BLS expects employment to grow by 17% in this field between now and 2033. You can also make a good salary, with the average developer earning $132,270 a year.

13. Digital marketing specialist

Freelance digital marketing specialists work with brands to increase their online outreach and social media presence. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to use your skills in content creation, photography, videography, and search engine optimization (SEO) to help companies build their brands online. You can plan, develop, and assess online campaigns or offer your expertise as a digital marketing consultant.

With more businesses focused on digital marketing, it’s an in-demand field to pursue as a freelancer. Employment growth is projected to be 8% over the next 10 years, per the BLS. There’s also high earning potential in the field, with average wages of $131,870 per year.

Want to make the switch to freelancing, but not sure which jobs you should target? Check out Career.io’s Career Exploration to find the right path for you!

Key takeaways

1. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned freelancer, you can secure high-paying opportunities by focusing on in-demand jobs.

2. Creating a strong portfolio, networking with others, and actively seeking new gigs will help you find continued success as a freelancer.

3. If you’re willing to put in the work, freelancing can offer independence, flexibility, and financial advantages, particularly if you offer high-value services.