How Much Do Freelancers Make In the US?

Have you considered taking your career online? Do you like the idea of freelancing from the comfort of your own home?

You’re not the only one.

The growing trend of freelancers in the US

Freelancing is expanding into every skill set you can imagine. From content creation, to Amazon experts to web developers, to social media managers, remote freelancers are taking over the business world.

According to Connor Gillivan, CMO of FreeeUp, “In the US, it’s calculated that already 35 percent of the US workforce is freelancing.” And this trend is not slowing down any day soon. “New reports are being released every month displaying the rapid growth of the freelance economy,” he says.

The World Economic Forum predicts that the majority of the US workforce will be freelance by 2027,  and in the near future remote work will be the new norm.

Connor adds that “businesses large and small are seeing the opportunity to tap into freelance talent over traditional full-time employment and professionals are preferring to run their own freelance business for increased mobility, flexibility, and control over their income.”

A study from Intuit and Emergent Research states that the number of freelancers in the US will double to 9.2 million by 2021.

“Freelancing is a growing part of how the American worker works,” says Payoneer CEO Scott Galit. “It cuts across industry types, ages, education level. The trend is more freelancing.”

The earning potential

Still not convinced to quit your day job? As it turns out, the payoff is quite appealing.

“Right now, the FreeUp Marketplace has over 200 US freelancers building their freelance businesses through the platform,” Connor says. “On average, I would say that US freelancers are making anywhere from $25 to $75 per hour depending on the skill set that they’re offering and the level of experience that they have within the field.”

According to a survey from Payoneer, freelancers in the US make an average of $31 an hour, which is roughly 17 percent more than the typical full-time employed worker in the country, and works out to approximately $64,000 annually. This average is based on 1,000 freelancers ranging from tech to finance and creative roles. This is quite impressive considering that the typical yearly income of most US workers is just shy of $45,000.

Freelancers in high demand

So what are these high-paying gigs?

According to Connor, US freelancers are varied in their skill sets. “Some of the most common projects that US freelancers are taking on through the FreeUp Marketplace are Facebook advertising, content writing, eCommerce consulting, Amazon PPC management, Google Adwords management, among other marketing projects,” he shares.

Within the FreeUp Marketplace, there are roughly nine types of freelancers in high demand. The following is a list of the most sough-after freelancers on the market today:

• Amazon Experts – US and Non US
• Amazon Mid Level – Non US
• Amazon PPC
• Shopify Experts
• Web Developers – US based
• WordPress and Shopify Developers
• Facebook and Google Ads Expert
• Multi Channel E-commerce Specialist
• Chinese Sourcing Experts

If you possess any of the above skills, it might be time to consider a career in freelancing. According to the FreeUp Marketplace, a mid level Amazon freelancer can make $20-$35 per hour, while an Amazon expert will earn $30-$75 an hour.

Yes, that is in US dollars.

Just to break it down, a freelancer with any kind of Amazon skills has the earning potential of $800-$3,000 USD per 40-hour week. These solid figures are more than appealing — not to mention the dress code and non-existent commute.

A variety of skill sets

Not to worry if you don’t see your specific skill set on the list. Freelancing is expanding into every area you can imagine. For instance, a social media manager has the earning potential of $24-$50 per hour, which relates to $960-$2,000 per 40-hour work week. A bookkeeper can earn anywhere from $1,400-$3,000 per 40-hour work week, while a blogger/content writer has the potential to take home $960-$3,000 per 40-hour work week.

And the list goes on. There’s a need for a wide variety of skills in the freelance market, such as:

• Podcast Editing
• Photography
• Copywriting
• Video Editing
• Dropshipping
• Wholsale
• eCommerce Customer Service
• Product Listing
• eBay
• Sales Assistant
• Sales Funnels
• Graphic Design
• Email Marketing
• Google Adwords
• Marketing
• Microsoft Excel
• Virtual Assistant
• Web Design

This is just a snapshot of skill sets that are bursting onto the freelance scene. On average, most US freelancers start at $24 and go upwards of $75+ per hour, depending on their level of expertise. In short, this equates to $960-$3,000+ per 40-hour work week. The numbers don’t lie, and this growing trend in the business world cannot be denied.

If you have an expertise, you’re bound to get hired on the freelance market. For instance, if you’re an expert of essential oils, this is a unique skill set that has freelance potential. Or, perhaps, you’re bilingual. Regardless of your niche or skill set, the weekly earning potential in the freelance marketplace is limitless.

Enjoy the freedom of freelancing

Feeling ready to embrace the workday in your pyjamas? It might be time to put your skills to the test. Signing up as a freelancer on a reputable marketplace like FreeUp gives you the opportunity to find new clients, set up new projects and optimize your freelance earnings.

Do the homework

Are you ready to explore your freelance options?

FreeUp is a marketplace that connects pre-vetted freelancers with online businesses. Once you’re accepted into the network, you’ll have the ability to see the daily project requests, which offers you the opportunity to increase your freelancing hours without extensive interviews.

Would you like to join the FreeUp marketplace? Sign up here!