10 best freelance jobs (that pay well)

It’s an exciting time to branch out and take up freelancing work. 

In the United States alone, 64 million people are working freelance jobs. These jobs are a flexible and dynamic way to embark on new career paths.

In this article, we break down freelance remote jobs specifically. We dive into the most lucrative roles and sought-after skill sets, as well as steps on how to get that dream job. 

Remote has dived into the world of freelance work to uncover the best jobs for freelancers in the UK and the US. We've also zoned in on the most valuable skills for self-employed people and the best countries in the world for freelancers to live and work.

What are the best jobs for freelancers?

While this list is nowhere near exhaustive, here are some of the most popular and rewarding remote freelance jobs:

1. Content writer: Writers craft engaging and informative articles, blog posts, and website content. This role requires a strong grasp of language.

2. Graphic designer: Graphic designers create everything from website graphics and logos to brochures and advertisements. This position requires a creative eye and an ability to use digital tools.

3. Web developer: These professionals build and maintain websites, both for aesthetics and performance. Tech-savviness is a must for these jobs.

4. Social media manager: These individuals create and curate content to engage audiences and drive marketing goals. They should have both communication skills and an understanding of digital marketing.

5. SEO specialist: This role involves optimizing content and strategies for search engine traffic. A deep familiarity with keyword research and content planning is required.

6. Virtual assistant: Those in this job provide administrative, technical, or creative assistance remotely. Virtual assistants require strong communication and organizational skills. 

7. Digital marketing consultant: These professionals devise strategies to boost online presence and sales through digital channels. They work across social media, email marketing, SEO, and more, crafting campaigns that align with business goals and target audiences.

8. Mobile app developer: These individuals create software for mobile devices. They need a background in computer science or software engineering to do their jobs well.

9. Video editor: Video editors produce content for various platforms, such as social media, websites, and television. They need a combination of creative and technical skills.

10. Translator: These language specialists translate text and cultural references. Naturally, they need to be fluent in both languages involved in the translation.

The most valued skill sets in remote freelance work

Our analysis of popular freelancer platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, TaskRabbit, and PeoplePerHour found the following skills to be highly sought after:

• Consulting

• Administrating

• Bookkeeping

• Copywriting

• Photography and Videography

• Web app development

• Graphic design

• Data analytics

• Translating

• Social media management

Skills such as photography and videography, web app development, graphic design, and social media management reflect the digital age we are in. Now, more than ever, businesses are seeking to interact with their customers in new, innovative ways, and freelancers with these skill sets are helping them manage this transition.

Freelancers with data analytics skills are sought after by growth-focused businesses in every sector to help make better-informed strategic decisions, improve productivity, and achieve overarching business goals.

Translating is another valuable skill in the digital age, supporting global communication and collaboration between business partners that are culturally different and geographically separated.

Bookkeeping and administration are highly valuable skills to any employer, small or large, as they are integral elements of a business’s day-to-day operations.

The best countries for freelancers to live and work

A strong, stable internet connection is crucial for successful remote work. Freelancers also consider how much they’ll be paid, the level of demand for the services they offer, and the country’s economic stability when choosing a location to work from.

Because of this, we based our ranking of the best countries for freelancers to work remotely on the average broadband speed, average freelancer salary, the competitiveness of the market, and the rate of inflation.

#1. United States

According to our analysis, the best country for freelancers to work in is the United States. It has one of the fastest average broadband speeds and the second-highest number of active freelancer job advertisements, with 17,075 at the time of writing. The average freelancer salary in the US is a reasonable £29,547 and the country has an inflation rate of 1.5%.

Learn more about employment in the United States with Remote’s Country Explorer.

#2. Germany

In second place is Germany. Germany is teeming with freelancer job ads, the most out of all the locations in our analysis with 22,157. Not only is there more work available, freelancers working remotely from Germany can potentially earn over £7k more than those in the United States, with an average salary of £36,684.

Learn more about employment in Germany with Remote’s Country Explorer.

#3. Switzerland

In Switzerland, the third best country for freelancers, the broadband internet speed averages 229.96 megabits per second, which is the fastest internet connection in our list. Freelancers also have the potential to earn the most money living in this destination, with the average freelancer receiving a salary of £62,012 per year. However, freelance work is highly competitive, with only 246 active freelancer job advertisements. This country also has the lowest inflation rate out of every destination we analyzed, with -0.5%, which indicates economic stability.

Learn more about employment in Switzerland with Remote’s Country Explorer.

Best places for contractors and freelancers to work

You can go into even more detail about the best cities and towns to work from as a freelancer with Remote’s Best Destinations for Remote Work guide. We searched the globe to find the best destinations for remote workers. In our research, we evaluated thousands of locations across seven key factors to find out which places in the world are the most welcoming for remote workers. Find out which locations made the cut.

How to land a freelance remote job

Here are some actionable steps you can take to reach and impress employers. 

1. Identify your niche

Think about what skills you can offer. What skills are your strengths? You can get a more solid idea of your strengths by reflecting on your past projects, jobs, and even volunteer work.

Use job boards and freelance platforms to see which skills and positions are relevant to you. Specializing in a niche can reduce competition and help you stand out.

2. Create a winning portfolio

Put together examples that showcase your expertise and the quality of your work. This portfolio should be diverse but also tailored to your niche. Focus on projects that will resonate with your ideal clients.

Develop a professional website or use portfolio platforms like Behance or Dribbble. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date.

3. Leverage freelance job platforms

Upwork and Freelancer are well-known job sites. There are also niche-specific sites, such as Toptal for developers and Contently for writers.

Create detailed profiles on each of these sites that highlight your skills, experience, and portfolio. Use keywords related to your niche for better visibility when potential clients search.

4. Networking and social media

Participate in Reddit forums and Facebook groups in your industry. Sharing keen insights and engaging discussions can lead to job opportunities.

Engage with industry groups and share content relevant to your niche. Connect with potential clients and other freelancers on LinkedIn. And consider personal networking connections you have from friendships and previous jobs.

5. Direct outreach and pitching

Lastly, reach out directly to prospects who might need your services. You can find their contact information on LinkedIn, company websites, or professional directories.

Customize each pitch you do to the client, highlighting how your services can solve specific problems they might have. Personalizing your message shows you’ve done your homework. 

Provide each prospective client a link to your portfolio and suggest having a brief meeting with them to discuss their needs.

Let Remote help manage freelance work

Thanks to the growing popularity of freelance remote jobs, freelancers and self-employed people can now work from almost anywhere in the world, without losing access to desirable salaries or the career opportunities that matter most to them.

Employers should consider what they can do to provide a positive experience for self-employed people and build a healthy reputation as a freelance employer of choice so that they can access top talent in an increasingly competitive market.

Some ways a company might do this include:

• Always paying freelance contractors a fair rate for their work on-time

• Putting processes in place to streamline communication and collaboration with your internal teams

• Maintaining a respectful, professional working relationship

• Offering supportive, constructive feedback to help advance their skills and growth

Remote makes managing international freelancing simple for both self-employed people and businesses, so companies worldwide can scale their teams smoothly and efficiently with the best talent. You can hire, onboard, manage, and pay contractors with Remote in over 100 currencies all over the world.

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