Online freelancing is something that many people are considering. Since the work tide is turning, it makes sense that people would want to take control of their financial destiny, given all the instability we have experienced over the last several years.

More people than ever are considering a freelance job as it allows individuals to work from home, set their own hours, and earn more money.

Furthermore, for there is a high demand for freelancers, managing several clients and knowing when to set boundaries will be your most formidable challenge once you have established yourself. However, the earning potential might be highly alluring, as long as you have a marketable skill, a computer, and a reliable internet connection.

The best and highest-paying freelance jobs in 2022

Freelancing work online has become increasingly popular in the last years due to two factors mainly:

  1. Living independently, having freedom, and the security that comes from knowing you are completely in charge of your work path;
  2. Businesses of all sizes adore freelancers to supplement their teams because it saves them time and resources by avoiding the labor-intensive process of finding, hiring, and training full-time employees. 

Here is a list of the highest-paying and most sought-after freelance jobs available.

Graphic designers

Graphic designer workstation.
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While it may not be the simplest career option, running your own graphic design business guarantees a sense of pleasure and success.

Graphic design has evolved and spread its’ nodes on various sides. As a result, modern graphic designers perform conventional tasks in a new way embedded with creativity and uniqueness, creating compelling visual advertisements and eye-catching graphics.  

It has become a visibility factor for businesses in the highly competitive online marketplace to provide top-notch graphical experiences to their virtual customers and visitors. In addition, the digitization of the job has revealed new dimensions and specialties under the broader graphic designer job description. 

The best thing about expanding fields of graphic design means it keeps the pay rates higher.

Freelance writers

Freelance writer workstation.
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Freelance writing jobs are easy to find, no matter how much experience you have or how new you are to writing.

Freelance writers specialize in content like sales pitches, emails, marketing content, promotional slogans, and advertisement scripts.

You cannot buy creativity. Still, you can hire creative writers to supply you with what you need. Copywriters have been in the top freelance jobs since day one, and they will remain in one of the highest-paid workers’ categories.

Technical writers

Freelancing technical writer workstation.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be 10–11 percent more jobs for technical writers by 2026.

Technical writers translate technical knowledge into plain English. They may have expertise in any business or life skill. Think of technical writers as pen-and-paper coding experts.

Technical writing may include product manuals, product descriptions, labels, website content, or even journal writing. Much like software developers, technical writers also possess unique skills. This technical expertise makes them among the highest-paid workers in the freelance world too.

Social media specialists

Social Media Specialist workstation.
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The bottom 10% of social media specialists make about $38,000 a year in the United States, while the top 10% make about $68,000 a year.

Marketing professionals have always been paid well. The roles have evolved with the advent of social media significantly, in any case, and similar to graphic designers, social media marketing experts must cover various parts under the marketing banner. 

As with any marketing job, business lead generation and conversion remain the prime task. However, the excellent news for freelancing social media experts is that companies are ready to pay them well. That is because the popularity of social media means businesses can no longer afford to ignore the implications.

Online tutors

Freelancing online tutors' laptop during a call with students.
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Wyzant is one of the largest online tutoring services, with over 80,000 tutors.

Whether you possess a teaching degree or other credentials, there are thousands of online teaching positions accessible. Since there is a severe shortage of teachers worldwide at the moment, likely, you will not have any trouble finding a job you like. 

There are several choices available, even if you lack a teaching degree. There is great demand for English as a second language (ESL) teachers, and you do not need much expertise. A solid command of the English language plus some familiarity with web technology are frequently the sole requirements. 

You might also consider online tutoring if you are an academic wiz in math, physics, history, or any other field. Although working with children may need a verification process, becoming an online tutor typically does not call for any special certifications.


You might also want to check out: How to earn money online without investments as a student?


Software and web developers

Frelancing software and web developer workstation.
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Freelance web developers use coding and software design tools to make, design, and style websites.

Thanks to the software and web developers, we have reached a point where we can all work from home. 

There is no dearth of IT talent globally, but it still cannot meet the growing needs of the industry. The demand and skillset mean they always get paid in higher ranks.

Cybersecurity auditors and certified hackers

Cybersecurity Auditors and Certified Hackers.
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For a freelance cybersecurity job, in most cases, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a similar IT field and some work experience.

Cybersecurity has been a challenging task for businesses shifting to the e-commerce world. Large corporations and governments face cyber threats unabated. 

Although the cybersecurity auditors and certified hackers‘ jobs were not part of the freelancing world, they now have become. Again, the low competition and high technical skills mean the job of cyber force workers remains in the highest-paid category.

E-commerce store developers

E-commerce Store Developer workstation.
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E-commerce website developers are in charge of making websites that help online businesses make sales. People in this position need to know a lot about how to build websites.

For businesses to adapt to the e-commerce trends has become a compulsion. But, unfortunately, many business owners lack the skills and time to develop an e-commerce store that fits their brick-n-mortar business style. The go-to e-commerce stores do not offer much customization either.

A growing trend in the freelancing world is of the e-commerce store developers, who get paid handsomely too.

Virtual CFOs and accountants

Virtual CFOs and Accountants workstation.
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A fractional chief financial officer (CFO) is a person who helps organizations with their financial needs on a part-time basis, either on a retainer or, more often, on a contracted basis.

Virtual assistant job categories for many years belonged to the accounting and bookkeeping services. However, the current recession and compulsion for work-from-home jobs have given a rising trend to financial consultancy in the freelancing world.

The role of virtual Chief Financial Officers and other business executives has shifted to the hybrid nature of in-house and remote working styles. Virtual CFOs, Business consultants, and Accountants all come with high-paying rates in the freelancing industry too.

Mobile app developers

Mobile App Developer workstation.
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Since you run your own business, you may set your own rates, timetable, and clients.

Today’s businesses invest a vast amount of money in creating unique apps for their staff and customers. Among the highest-paid freelancers are app developers, with top earners making well into six figures.

If you are passionate about making apps, going freelancing might be the best thing you have ever done for your career.

The demand for iOS and Android development talents is very high, and as your skill level increases, so does your potential income. However, you will require a strong portfolio, many original ideas, and a resume highlighting your accomplishments. Results you can measure could also say a lot about your abilities, so do not be shy about flaunting them. 

Is freelancing worth it?

There is no better moment to start if you are ready to embrace the freelance lifestyle than right now. Employing freelance talent is one strategy businesses use to cut expenses and operate more efficiently. Of course, there are many additional freelancing positions available; all you need to do is develop marketable expertise.

Starting on any major freelance job website, such as UpWork, Fiverr, Freelancer, or Toptal, is simple. Once your profile is live, you will have access to a ready audience of potential customers and jobs.

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