The 5 top paying freelance tech skills that customers want to hire you for
#1. Mobile App Development
- Average Hourly Rate: $37
- Top Freelancer Hourly Rate: $200
- Average Salary: $102,000
- Number of freelance job postings in this area: 6,883
Due to the escalating need for mobile applications for both smartphones and tablets, the freelance market is highly interested in the skillset of mobile app development.
Mobile App Daily reported that the worldwide size of the mobile app industry was $106.27 billion in 2018 and is estimated to grow to $407.31 billion by 2026.
It is evident that the demand for mobile app developers will persist for a long time.
The mean hourly wage for self-employed developers of mobile applications is $37, and seasoned developers can earn up to $200 per hour.
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With just a fundamental knowledge of JavaScript, you can start learning how to develop comprehensive iOS and Android apps right from the start.
This skill is not only desirable in the freelance world, but it also offers a high-paying job opportunity for those who wish to gain experience before offering it to clients.
#2. Shopify Development
- Average Hourly Rate: $35
- Top Freelancer Hourly Rate: $225
- Average Salary: $103,000
- Number of freelance job postings in this area: 4,218
Shopify is an immensely vast e-commerce platform that allows its users to establish online stores, and several of the most prominent retail behemoths rely on this platform.
Developing Shopify entails the adaptation and construction of Shopify themes, app development, and the incorporation of external services.
For those with advanced proficiency, the highest hourly rate for Shopify development reaches $225, while the average hourly rate is $35.
A friend of mine specializes in creating customized Shopify stores. Due to having a streamlined workflow using templates and customizations, he can complete the job in less than a week. The cost per project ranges from $5,000 to $15,000.
If you strive for some job involvement before becoming a freelancer, Shopify Development is a valuable set of skills to possess that can yield an above $100,000 yearly salary for Shopify Developers.
To achieve this, one needs a set of skills including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and may require knowledge in PHP, JQuery, SQL, and Ruby.
#3. WordPress Development
- Average Hourly Rate: $32
- Top Freelancer Hourly Rate: $175
- Average Salary: $75,000
- Number of freelance job postings in this area: 9,985
WordPress is the most widely used content management system, powering hundreds of millions of websites, and accounting for 42% of all websites on the internet. It is comparable to Shopify, but can be used for any type of website development.
Yes, there is a demand for this.
The process of WordPress development includes the modification and production of WordPress themes, constructing plugins, and blending in external services. Typically, freelance WordPress Developers charge approximately $32 per hour, with an upper limit of $175 per hour.
Even though it may appear insignificant, the speed at which you can earn money by providing ‘templated’ websites as a service is astounding. All you have to do is present some standard designs and tailor them to suit each individual client, which enables you to save time on every project.
As an illustration,
On Fiverr, the freelancer mentioned has earned $760,000 by producing 1,062 WordPress websites, with an average price of $715 per site.
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Once more, in case you desire to gain some knowledge with an organization before presenting it to customers, a Web Developer’s typical pay is $75,000 or higher.
While the compensation may be lower than that of a Shopify Developer position, there is also less requirement for acquiring additional skills.
Although there are some unique skills required to become a Shopify Developer, there is significant overlap with other core skills. This means that starting with WordPress builds could be a viable pathway towards obtaining the necessary skills to transition into a role as a Shopify Developer.
#4. Machine Learning
- Average Hourly Rate: $38
- Top Freelancer Hourly Rate: $200
- Average Salary: $117,000
- Number of freelance job postings in this area: 3,096
The process of enabling machines to learn from data and subsequently make predictions or decisions without explicit programming is referred to as machine learning.
Entering the Machine Learning industry can prove to be extremely beneficial as it’s responsible for the powering of technologies such as ChatGPT and Self-driving cars.
Freelancers possessing machine learning skills typically charge $38 per hour on average and $200 per hour at most, whereas the average annual salary in the US is about $117,000.
By 2029, the industry is predicted to be worth up to $209.91 billion, indicating significant demand for developers and engineers possessing expertise in Machine Learning.
Machine Learning is one of the top earning professions and is rapidly expanding, making it an ideal time to acquire these competencies.
Here, you can acquire the skills to become a Machine Learning Engineer even if you have no background in coding or statistics.
#5. Cyber Security and Data Protection
- Average Hourly Rate: $40
- Top Freelancer Hourly Rate: $150
- Average Salary: $123,000
- Number of freelance job postings in this area: 302
Due to the growing frequency of cyber-attacks and data breaches occurring 24/7, companies consider Cyber Security and Data Protection as vital prerequisites.
The duties may differ, but the standard tasks entail safeguarding computer networks and systems against unwarranted entry and ensuring that data is upheld in confidence, integrity, and accessibility.
Cyber Security and Data Protection freelancers charge an average hourly rate of $40, with the highest being up to $150. In contrast, the average annual compensation for Cyber Security professionals in the United States is approximately $123,000.
Other highest paying freelance jobs are:
1 Customer Service Support Agent
$12 per hour ($24,000 per year)
What it involves
Businesses often experience periods where they require additional assistance to handle customer concerns and inquiries.
Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are expected to encounter a surge of cancelation-related calls, while others like internet providers or video streaming services could face a significant rise in online technical inquiries.
Required skills
To assist numerous customers, it is essential to possess effective communication, attentive listening, and adept problem-solving abilities. The greater the number of issues you resolve, the higher the probability of having an increased workload, resulting in higher earnings.
2 Administrative Support Officer
$13 per hour ($26,000 per year)
What it involves
Occasionally, we need assistance to manage our daily routine. Similarly, organizations also require additional aid to handle administrative tasks such as answering phone calls, replying to emails, transcribing, and managing software files. What’s advantageous is that these duties can be completed from the comfort of one’s home.
Required skills
It is preferable if you possess previous experience in office-based administration as this will increase your chances of obtaining a well-paying position. A solid work history will also inspire recruiters to have confidence in your ability to effectively manage your responsibilities from a remote location. Although it may not be one of the most lucrative freelance occupations, administration is a crucial component for the seamless functioning of businesses.
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3 Translator
$15 per hour ($30,000 per year)
What it involves
By pursuing a freelance translation career, you can utilize your ability to speak multiple languages for financial gain. In addition to translating written and spoken content between languages, it will be necessary to consider the appropriate context and references for each language to ensure the intended message is accurately conveyed.
Required skills
While your proficiency in language is assumed, it is important for you to also acquire in-depth knowledge of various international cultures. This is because you may come across scenarios where you need to translate content that makes references to a sports team, brand, or musical group that is widely recognized in one country, but completely unknown in another.
In addition, certain words cannot be translated directly into different languages, requiring you to approach the translation of such complex terms with unconventional methods. Your writing and research abilities must be strong as well.
4 Transcriber
$15 per hour ($30,000 per year)
What it involves
Typing up digital documents from recorded speech will be your daily task, whether you transcribe legal, medical, or sports documents. Your earnings will be determined by your typing speed, the company you’re employed with, and the volume of work you transcribe. This self-employed job can be done from home at any time, potentially making it one of your highest paying positions ever.
Required skills
Do you have the ability to type within the range of 50 to 80 words per minute? This is the minimum typing speed required for regular transcriptions. At this pace, it would take about four to five hours to transcribe one hour of audio. There are various free touch typing applications available on the internet, such as Keybr or TypingClub, to aid in improving your speed.
5 Social Media Coordinator
$16 per hour ($32,000 per year)
What it involves
Becoming a social media manager/coordinator is a popular freelance job of 2020 because of the increasing influence of social media in global digital marketing strategies, making it a profitable option for anyone looking to earn money through social media. Hence, it is one of the recommended online business ideas.
An adept professional is almost always required by businesses of every scale to manage their social media platforms by creating strategies and boosting brand recognition through activities such as tweeting, sharing, and liking.
Required skills
Exceptional writing abilities are a given, but it’s essential to also possess adeptness in crafting concise quips and clever wordplay. Grasping the nuanced variations between various social media platforms is crucial – Instagram and Pinterest emphasize visual appeal, LinkedIn prioritizes editorial writing like press releases, Facebook features informative content, and Twitter centers on sharing news.
