Working for an employer has its benefits such as a secure wage and sometimes perks like paid health insurance. However, it also comes with a lot of limitations. You don’t get to set your own hours, cannot pick your own clients and cannot choose your pay.
Freelancing removes these limitations by allowing you to set your schedule, choose your clients and charge your own fees. All in all, it gives you full control over your work life. Studies have shown that freelancers are on average more stimulated by their work than employees. Freelancers were also found to be happier and healthier in general due to more time to commit to relationships, hobbies and healthy living.
Unfortunately, freelancing isn’t always easy. In many fields, you have to compete with more experienced freelancers for work – some of whom are much more willing to charge less. This has made it much harder to make a lot of money through freelancing. That said, there are still some fields where you don’t have to charge low fees to get work. In fact, some freelance gigs can be incredibly lucrative. Below are just some of the high-paying online jobs that can be worth freelancing.
Teaching
If you have teaching experience and qualifications, it could be worth considering a career as an online tutor. While some platforms accept anyone to join as a tutor, others are more picky and require experience and credentials. These are the types of platforms where you can get away with charging more – in some cases, as much as $50 per hour. Other platforms will pay you a set fee and help connect you with students while still allowing you to set your schedule – giving you some security, while also providing a level of freedom.
Copywriting
For those with writing experience, a freelance copywriting career could be worth considering. You can find your own work through various platforms, or work through an agency where you’ll be paid by the word and be given a steady stream of projects. To earn the most amount of money, it’s worth focusing on technical writing, medical or legal writing (the average salary for these careers is about $70k). You may be able to use experience within another industry to carve out a niche.
Graphic design
Got some graphic design experience? Built up a fairly strong portfolio? You could consider a career as a freelance graphic designer. As you make a name for yourself, you may be able to take on bigger projects that will earn you a lot of money. Many established freelance graphic designers are able to make upwards of $70k per year. There are many platforms where you can find work, as well agencies that can help connect with clients.
Web design
Becoming a freelance website designer could be a worthy career if you have experience making websites. You don’t necessarily need programming experience – being able to use platforms like WordPress or Joomla could be enough. That said, knowing how to code could earn you a lot more by allowing you to take on more complex projects (such freelancers can earn over $80k by scoring the right projects). Make sure that you’ve got your own website and that it’s high quality, as this could be essential to your credibility and ability to score clients.
Accountancy
A lot more businesses are hiring freelance accountants to take care of their bookkeeping. If you have accountancy qualifications and experience, why not consider a job as a freelance accountant? The amount you earn depends on the clients you are willing to take on. Dealing with more complex tax situations including overseas income, investments and royalties could earn you over $80k per year. A single big client may even be all it takes to pay your bills.
Financial consulting
Many people are also turning to freelancers for financial advice. Becoming a freelance financial consultant could be worthwhile if you have a background in finance. Generally, it’s best to focus on a niche such as tax planning, insurance, wealth management or mortgage advice. Many freelance financial consultants charge $45 per hour and are able to earn $94k per year, making it a very high paying job – although you’ll have to spend some time making a name for yourself and building clients.
Translating
Do you speak another language fluently? Becoming a translator or interpreter could be a lucrative freelance career to consider. Some translators are able to make up to $80,000 per year by taking on more difficult translation projects or by working with more serious clients.
