Best and most effective freelance skills will be described in this article. To better understand how different skill sets and experience levels charge for jobs, whether on hourly rates or different payment arrangements, we looked at freelancers of all experience levels on marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork. To create a more varied data set, we also inspected the websites of specific freelancers.
We were able to develop a picture of the typical rate freelancers in each industry charge by analysing these results. Keep in mind that the annual incomes and hourly rates discussed throughout the piece are meant to serve as general guidelines. These standards are averages rather than maximum or minimum rates. You can discover that some freelance tasks and contracts pay more or less as you compare them.
If you’re only starting out as a freelancer, these rates can help you estimate rough costs. More than anything else, how much you charge clients will depend on your own particular expertise, skill set, and industry specialisation.
Top 15 Best Freelance Skills to Master In 2024
Top 15 Best Freelance Skills to Master are explained here.
Look over our list of the most in-demand freelance skills before deciding which ones to master. Upgrading your freelance career will be made possible by mastering one or more of these skills.
1. Blockchains and cryptocurrency programming
$130,000 is the average annual pay.
$150 per hour on average
A programming language called blockchain is used to handle and store data regarding bitcoin transactions. It is significantly more resistant to outside alteration than other programming languages. Despite being a relatively new coin, blockchain is currently the most used method of data management. This is another freelance skills.
The approach is used widely in fields including law, logistics, and finance because of its strong transaction security. There aren’t many experts yet, though, as it’s so new. Therefore, if you are skilled in blockchain, you will probably be in high demand with many clients. Also check SEO tools
Where can I find blockchain education?
Blockchain fundamentals courses are available on platforms like Skillup for novices.
blockchain education
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2. Mobile app development
average yearly wage of $110,000
Cost per hour on average: $70 to $80
The need for app developers is growing along with the amount of time consumers spend on their phones. Companies are looking for independent contractors to create, design, and test mobile applications.
As a freelance app developer, you’ll require some specific coding expertise. iOS applications are coded in Swift. Java or C++ is used in Android apps. Knowing this allows you to decide whether to study one language or all three in order to become a proficient mobile developer.
Where can you find out about developing mobile apps?
A course on Udemy will take you from complete inexperience to producing an iOS AppStore-caliber app.
an Udermy course
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3. Website design
$80,000 is the average annual pay.
$80.00 per hour on average
Since they frequently collaborate with front-end developers to create each site, web designers frequently possess a variety of skills, such as proficiency in website coding languages like HTML and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
Most web designers opt to specialise in one or more of the following three areas:
All website operations, such as button placements and navigation, are handled by user interface (UI) designers to make them as user-friendly as feasible.
Sites designed by user experience (UX) designers are aesthetically pleasant and simple to use.
UI and UX skills are combined in visual design.
Where can you get courses in web design?
Numerous web design courses on the learning platform Coursera are appropriate for students of all levels:
Coursera is a learning platform.
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4. Amazon Web Services Development
average yearly wage of $115,000
$80.00 per hour on average
The biggest cloud storage platform in the world is AWS. However, it has a reputation for being unreliable—prone to system errors and online attacks. You may work as a freelancer and offer cloud management services to businesses that use Amazon’s online storage. This is another freelance skills.
Where can I find out about developing for Amazon Web Services?
Many online courses with material for beginners up to cloud storage experts are available on the AWS website. Additionally, you have the option of taking an exam that leads to official certification.
e-learning from the AWS website
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5. Artificial Intelligence development
$100,000 is the average annual pay.
$70.00 per hour on average
Even though AI is still a relatively new idea, it’s expected to gain popularity and utilisation over the coming years. Since most AI is created to simplify daily tasks, experts create algorithms and lines of code with practical issues in mind. Also check blogger outreach
AI experts must be able to create algorithms and write software for speech or facial recognition.
Where can I discover out more about developing artificial intelligence?
Numerous AI courses are available on websites like Coursera and Udemy.
Development of Artificial Intelligence course
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6. website Development
$100,000 is the average annual pay.
$80.00 per hour on average
Due to the lack of web developers, there is a great need for independent web developers.
Select one of three specialist categories:
Front-end developers create online components including login pages, user buttons, and click buttons that interact directly with users. Everything that is displayed on a website is programmed.
The internal, inaccessible portion of the website is built by back-end developers. This covers the site’s framework as well as servers, databases, and other technology.
Full-stack experts can control the site’s front end and back end.
Where can one find out about web development?
On Codecademy, you may master the fundamental skills required to become a web developer. After finishing the beginner levels, you can on to the advanced courses. The interactive exercises on each level add to the pleasure of the process.
course on web development
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7. Accounting and bookkeeping
$75,000 average yearly salary
$50 per hour on average
Many people lack the knowledge necessary to effectively manage their business finances and submit their taxes. Therefore, there is frequently a strong need for freelance bookkeepers and accountants.
Small business owners frequently use independent contractors to handle payroll, prepare quarterly tax returns, keep thorough financial records, and create financial reports. This is another freelance skills.
Where can you get training in bookkeeping and accounting?
Everything you require to get CPA certified and begin working as an accountant or bookkeeper is provided by the Becker CPA Exam Review.
Review of the Becker CPA Exam
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8. Data analysis
$80,000 is the average annual pay.
A $40 hourly charge is typical.
Another rapidly expanding industry that has a high demand for people is data analytics. Data analysts gather, arrange, and analyse data to provide enlightening reports for corporations. These studies outline trends and patterns that companies should consider when developing their strategies.
Both free and paid data analysis courses with certifications are available on Coursera.
data analysis training
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9. Writing
$75,000 is the average annual pay.
$40 per hour on average
Many firms require online web content yet lack an internal writing staff. Since businesses frequently need content, it offers a fantastic option for freelancers looking for consistent work. This is another freelance skills.
Generalists or specialists in a certain specialty are both options available to freelance writers. It’s usually more advantageous to focus on one or two niches because you’ll develop subject-matter knowledge and be capable to charge more for your writing.
The fact that you may start out as a writer without a certification is its strongest feature. You can hone your writing ability through practise and classes as long as you are familiar with your chosen subject.
Where can you find writing instruction?
There are many courses on Skillshare for aspiring freelance writers.
Programs for aspiring freelance writers
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10. Editing
The typical yearly wage is $60,000.
A $40 hourly charge is typical.
Businesses will require editors to check their work as long as writers are producing material. Editors typically look for typos, grammatical problems, sentence structure, coherence, factual accuracy, formatting, and compliance with company standards. Also check benefits of SEO
Editors, like authors, might specialise in editing one or two types of content in a particular industrial specialisation or be generalists.
To begin editing, you don’t need any special training. However, you’ll need excellent grammar and punctuation skills in addition to a high level of attention to detail.
Where can you find information on editing?
The following university-led courses on editing are available on Coursera and cover the basics:
collegiate-level editing programmes
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11. Career Coaching
$80,000 is the average annual pay.
A $60 hourly rate on average
Career shifts are happening more frequently as people become more aware of their work-life balance. People who are unhappy in their existing positions could feel the need for a change but be skeptical of how to go about making one.
As a career coach, you’ll assist your clients in improving the quality of their lives by assisting them in pursuing their passions rather than just making ends meet. Although there is a demand for career coaches, the industry is cutthroat as more and more people opt for this adaptable career route.
Establish a strong personal brand to stand out. Consider your identity as a coach, what inspired you to pursue this line of work, and how you can support others in feeling more content in both their professional and personal lives. This is another freelance skills.
To relate to those going through comparable periods, you’ll need to draw on your own life experiences. But it’s a good idea to take a course to better your understanding of the principles of coaching.
You can become a certified life coach thanks to the World Coach Institute’s establishment of a predetermined framework:
Global Coaching Institute
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12. Shopify development
average yearly wage of $90,000
$80.00 per hour on average
Shopify developers are in great demand because it is the platform of choice for those starting an online business.
You can create the Shopify store and then charge for upkeep. You can also charge Shopify a commission fee if you refer them a new customer.
A highly regarded Shopify development course on Skillshare is taught by developer Chris Dodd:
development of Shopify
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13. Social Media marketing
$75,000 is the average annual pay.
a $60 hourly rate on average
Many social media-savvy businesses lack the time and expertise necessary to successfully manage their accounts. Freelancers in social media can help with that.
Daily tasks include organising customers’ social media campaigns, making sure posts are submitted properly, and interacting with followers. Of course, the goal is to increase engagement, follower numbers, and business leads.
You must be familiar with social media networks and aware of how their algorithms operate if you want to be successful.
There are many social media marketing courses on Udemy to help you get started.
courses in social media marketing
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14. SEO
$100,000 is the average annual pay.
Hourly wage typical: $100
This is another freelance skills. Another digital marketing competency that websites-based companies always need is SEO. SEO is still in demand because the majority of users don’t click past the first page or even the first three results.
You must possess both technical and analytical skills. You’ll also need to stay current on Google algorithm news and SEO trends.
SEO experts must feel at ease using a variety of tools and producing thorough SEO reports for clients.
There are several paid and unpaid SEO courses available. We advise reading through the Moz SEO Learning Center to get started. The fact that it’s free is great.
The SEO Learning Center at Moz
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15. Graphic design
The typical yearly wage is $60,000.
$30 on the hourly average
Freelance graphic designers work on a vast range of projects in user experience design, marketing, corporate communications, web development, and social media. There will therefore never be a typical day, and you’ll frequently need to adjust to brand-new difficulties and deliverables. This is another freelance skills.
You will need a strong portfolio to show off your skills and knowledge if you want to work as a freelance graphic designer. Additionally, you’ll need to be familiar with a couple Adobe design applications.
To start with the fundamentals, check out the variety of Adobe design classes available on Skillshare:
Adobe design training
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Learn a freelance skill that’s in demand in 2022.
Now you know what the top freelance skills will be in 2022. Gaining proficiency in a few of these will put you on the road to a fruitful and long-lasting freelance career.
Consider your present skills and areas of interest first. Think about what would naturally fit based on this, and how you may develop a service offering as a freelancer.
Never stop learning; it’s the secret to a fruitful freelance job. You invest in your career when you make an investment in your education. Ready to start working for yourself? See what software discounts are now available in the AppSumo Store to get you set up.