by Emilie Skaug
Are you looking for some freelance work in the new year? You’ve come to the right place! This blog will tell you all about the best types of freelance jobs to apply for in 2025.
Read on to find out the most popular, fast-growing, and high-paying freelance jobs, as well as their responsibilities and qualifications. Let’s get started.
Types of Freelance Jobs by Industry
Freelance work can be done in a wide variety of different industries. These common industries offer freelance opportunities that are high-paying and well sought after.
Tech: Freelancers in this industry can work on projects related to software development, web development, data analysis, and artificial intelligence. The demand for tech freelancers is high, and they often enjoy flexible work arrangements and competitive pay.
Marketing: Freelancers in marketing can work on tasks such as search engine optimization (SEO), content creation, social media management, and digital advertising. This industry values creativity and strategic thinking, and freelancers can often find a variety of projects to work on.
Creative: Freelancers in this field can work on projects related to graphic design, photography, videography, and web design. Creative freelancers often have the freedom to work on many kinds of projects and collaborate with different clients, allowing them to showcase their unique skills and build a diverse portfolio.
Financial: In this industry, freelancers can provide services such as financial consulting, bookkeeping, accounting, and investment research. Financial freelancers help individuals and businesses manage their finances, prepare financial statements, and make sound investment decisions.
1. Tech Freelance Jobs
These types of freelance jobs could be a great fit for those in the technology industry.
1. Cybersecurity Developer
Cybersecurity developers strengthen their clients’ systems against potential malware, cyberthreats, and other risks. This role requires a deep understanding of current attacks, vulnerabilities, and solutions.
These professionals may also update code, implement security policies, and other measures to maintain the safety of their clients’ tools and networks. Freelance cybersecurity developers typically have a pay range between $40 and $90 per hour.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Professional
AI professionals work on developing and implementing AI technologies to improve life and business. This can include machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics. To develop these algorithms, you’ll need advanced computer programming skills.
With the rise of AI having no end in sight, there’s no shortage of opportunities in this field—in fact, employment for computer and information research scientists is expected to grow 23% through 2032. Machine learning engineers can make between $25 and $50 per hour, while AI engineers typically have a pay range between $30 t0 $60 per hour.
3. Web Developer
Web developers create and maintain websites using coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These freelance jobs typically require professionals with experience in front- or back-end web development—those with experience in both are known as full-stack developers.
Front-end web developers focus on the design and visual aspects, while back-end developers specialize in the administrative areas that users can’t see. Freelancers can usually earn between $15 to $30 per hour.
4. Programmer
Programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function. They also maintain these systems by troubleshooting technical issues.
You should have prior knowledge of coding languages for these positions. Freelance programming jobs typically offer a median pay rate between $15 and $30 per hour.
2. Marketing Freelance Jobs
With the rise of digital marketing, many jobs can be done on a freelance basis! Check out these opportunities.
1. Digital Marketing Consultant
Digital marketing consultants help businesses develop and implement marketing strategies to increase their online visibility and generate leads. This is done through search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, and pay-per-click (PPC) marketing.
These consultants can also help clients solve specific digital sales and marketing challenges. The median pay for freelance digital marketing consultants is between $15 and $45 per hour.
2. Copywriter
Copywriting is one of the most common type of freelance jobs. Freelance copywriters create content such as newsletters, advertising copy, emails, articles, and downloadable guides.
These roles require strong communication skills and a good grasp of spelling and grammar—a portfolio of previous work is often necessary. Freelance copywriters typically earn between $19 and $45 per hour, although some projects have a fixed price or pay by the word.
3. SEO Specialist
SEO specialists aim to bring more traffic to their clients’ websites by optimizing pages to rank higher in search engine results. This can be done through changes to website design, content creation, link-building, and more.
This position requires knowledge of web design, programming, copywriting, and marketing strategies. Freelance SEO specialists work with clients across many industries and their typical pay range is between $15 to $35 per hour.
4. Social Media Manager
Social media managers create and oversee content for a company’s social media accounts. They help create marketing strategies, establish brand voices, and generate leads by engaging with followers and analyzing social media metrics.
For this role, you should have proficiency in various social media channels as well as expertise in content generation and targeting demographics. Freelance social media managers have a typical pay of between $14 to $35 an hour.
3. Creative Freelance Jobs
If your abilities are on the creative side, many companies are looking for freelance talent just like you. These are some great roles available.
1. Videographer
Videographers create and edit video content to ensure a high-quality finished product. You should have a combination of filming and editing skills to find success in this field.
Videographers may be hired for various events, including weddings, parties, and seminars or other corporate events. Freelance videographers typically earn between $10 to $53 per hour.
2. Photographer
Photographers capture high-quality images of events, products, places, and people, either for companies or individuals. Freelance photographers must have high levels of creativity and technical skill.
It may also be beneficial to have experience with Photoshop. Freelance photographers usually earn between $25 to $45 per hour.
3. Web Designer
Web designers create the visual layout and design of websites, as well as update existing websites. You should be proficient in relevant software and user experience (UX) design programs, like Adobe XD.
For various projects in this role, you may need skills in programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or SQL. Freelance web designers have a typical pay range between $15 and $30 per hour.
4. Graphic Designer
Graphic designers work on projects such as logo design and branding, creating graphics for posters, brochures, and billboards, and sometimes even web design. This field is one of the most popular freelance opportunities.
For this role, it’s beneficial to understand graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and have a versatile portfolio of previous work. Freelance graphic designers have a usual pay range of $15 and $35 per hour.
4. Financial Freelance Jobs
The financial sector also offers freelance opportunities for those with expertise—if that’s you, consider looking into these positions.
1. Financial Advisor
Financial advisors help individuals and businesses manage their finances. They provide advice on retirement planning, building investment portfolios, budgeting, and more.
In this role, you may either provide general advice based on client situations or help clients actively manage a portfolio of stocks and mutual funds. Freelance financial advisors typically earn between $30 and $75 per hour.
2. Accountant
Accountants manage financial records and prepare financial statements for businesses and individuals. This rle is essential in ensuring financial records are accurate for reporting and tax purposes.
Other responsibilities may include preparing invoices, determining payroll requirements, collaborating with auditors, and analyzing operating budgets. Freelance accountants have a median pay range between $12 and $32 per hour.
3. Bookkeeper
Bookkeepers help companies keep track of their financial transactions and ensure all their records are up to date, which allows businesses to make informed decisions about their finances.
You should have experience in bookkeeping and accounting software. Freelance bookkeepers usually have a pay range between $11 and $25 an hour.
4. Data Entry
Data entry is an easy position to freelance in—all that’s required is typing proficiency, and in some cases, prior experience. Depending on the client, you may need to prove that you have a typing speed ranging from 50 to 70 words per minute.
It may also be beneficial to earn a professional certification in Microsoft Office, which includes software like Excel and Word. The pay for freelance data entry is typically between $10 and $20 per hour.
Find Your Freelance Fit
Now that we’ve gone over some of the types of freelance jobs, you should be better equipped to find a role that suits your needs. If you need help with your search, check out Insight Global’s job board to see a variety of open positions across many different industries.
by Alexandra Woodford 
