Best Freelance Jobs

If you're looking for the best freelance jobs, you're really looking for something that will stay valuable. After all, who wants to master a skill just to be replaced by AI later?

The thought alone is a bit scary. 😬

Don’t worry, I’ve done the digging for you. Here are high-demand freelance jobs, spread across 8 key categories, that are expected to stay in demand even in the age of AI.

Ready to dive in?

1) Software Development

Software developers are the people behind nearly all aspects of the digital world, from the apps you use on your mobile phone to systems that keep global business running.

They take an idea such as

• ordering food,
• managing a remote team, or
• watching a movie

and turn that idea into a reliable, working software.

They also troubleshoot software issues, optimize software performance, and make sure software runs smoothly. 

Is it worth becoming a software developer in 2025?

There's a lot of talk about AI taking jobs, but it's not true.

In the U.S., jobs for software developers will increase 15% from 2024 to 2034. There are about 129,200 new developer jobs every year. 

To sum it up, GitHub's CEO Thomas Dohmke said it best:

- "When AI gets better and better, the smartest companies will hire more software developers, not less."

Demand for developers continues to flourish—with AI, eCommerce, and automation, it seems to be forever. 

Learn the basics

🎥 Watch: [Guide To Becoming A Self-Taught Software Developer]

→ Traversy Media explains precisely how you can become a self-taught software developer, from what language to learn first to building real-world projects and portfolios.

How much can you make?

The worldwide average falls between $20–$150/hour. If you're in North America and are building things in AI, cloud, or cybersecurity, it would be about $80–140/hour.

So, depending on what you're building and where you're living, that's where you'll land on the pay scale.

Also see 👉🏻 [Freelance Developer Rates]

2) Blockchain Engineering

Blockchain engineers are the ones who build the infrastructure for decentralized systems. They create secure, transparent, and tamper-proof environments where data cannot be faked, modified, or lost.

Consider:

• Global payment systems
• NFT platforms
• Voting methodologies
• Digital identity solutions
• Smart cities

🔑 In this world, code = trust.

And those who write that trust into the system are blockchain engineers.

Is it worth becoming a blockchain engineer in 2025?

In 2025, there were 66,494 new Web3 jobs globally, a 47% increase from 2024. The numbers are not back to the 2022 heights, but that is actually a good sign. 

It shows we are moving beyond the hype stage, and the only real professionals have survived. 

Companies are not looking for vague “crypto enthusiasts.” 

They are looking for engineers and developers who are truly professionals, especially in:

• Rust (for high-performance blockchain coding)
• Solidity (for ETH smart contracts) 
• Security auditing (to avoid million-dollar hacks)
• Layer 2/zk technologies (for faster, cheaper scaling)

Investment capital is returning to blockchain, but with a focus on infrastructure, privacy, and security.

We're past the hype period, and competent engineers are now driving a more stable, high-value economy. 

Learn the basics

🎥 Watch: [How does a blockchain work? – Simply Explained]

→ This Simply Explained video breaks down blockchain in plain language. You’ll see how blocks, hashing, and decentralization actually work behind the scenes.

How much can you make?

The average rate is $81–$100/hour. Upwork mid-level developers earn about $30–$59/hour, while top-level engineers can charge up to $200/hour with enterprise clients.

Adding, Blockchain roles tend to be remote and global, so you can access lucrative markets, no matter where you live.

3) AI & ML Engineering

AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) engineers are those folks who work with systems like ChatGPT, self-driving cars, and voice assistants. 

But first, let’s clear up a common confusion:

• ML engineers make sure ChatGPT gives great answers.
• AI engineers make sure we can actually use ChatGPT on our devices.
  

Ultimately, the ML engineer builds the brain, while the AI engineer gives it a body and a purpose.

Is it worth becoming an AI engineer in 2025?

The percentage of companies utilizing AI jumped from 55% to 78% in just one year.

At the same time, ML has become one of the fastest-growing freelance categories on sites like Upwork.

The demand for engineers is changing towards:

• LLM deployment
• Model fine-tuning
• Infrastructure scaling
• Evaluation and safety testing

AI is not taking jobs, it's creating jobs! We can thank it for creating jobs that didn't exist before. 🙂

Learn the basics

🎥 Watch: [Machine Learning for Everybody – Full Course]

→ freeCodeCamp’s “Machine Learning for Everybody” gives a friendly introduction to AI and ML concepts, from training models to real-life use cases, all without complex math.

How much can you make?

Global engineering rates for AI/ML professionals vary between $35 and $160+/hour. On Upwork, the average is $35–$60/hour, but that’s for entry to mid-level work.

But experienced freelancers working with startups or enterprise projects can earn 2–5× more, easily reaching top-tier rates.

4) Cybersecurity

The job of a cybersecurity expert is to protect computers, phones, cloud, networks, and data.

It is like installing a security system to protect your home from a thief.

They have three tasks: 

→ enact prophylactic measures → detect attacks → repair damage after an attack 

Large corporations and government agencies cannot keep going without this security chain.

Is it worth becoming a cybersecurity specialist in 2025?

This year, cybersecurity spending will rise from $193B to $213B.

Growth is strong in Cloud and Application Security, because they realize they must protect their data as they move it online.

In fact, there are not enough cybersecurity experts.

• Currently, there are 5.47 million people working in the field.
• But they still need 4.76 million more.

That's a record gap, and it shows that the world needs more cybersecurity professionals.

Also, only 14% of organizations (about 1.5 out of 10) claim that they have all the talent needed in cybersecurity. The rest? say they're facing a critical skills gap.

So, there’s a budget + high risk → rising demand for freelancers → perfect time to start.

Risks are growing, budgets are growing, and the world currently doesn't have enough experts yet.

Learn the basics

🎥 Watch: [Introduction to Cybersecurity – Simplilearn]

→ Understand what ethical hacking and defending a system really are. Simplilearn’s introduction to cybersecurity will walk you through how hackers think and how the experts stop them.

How much can you make?

Freelancers in cybersecurity can expect to see hourly rates between $60-$120. However, if you can demonstrate your specialized skills, you could start charging $150+ per hour. 

Additionally, if you eventually transition into a more senior management role (ex. vCISO), it's entirely possible to earn between $200-300 per hour.

5) Copywriting

Copywriters can write just about anything you could find on the internet: 

• social media posts, 
• blog articles, 
• short ad copy, 
• marketing emails, 
• sales pages, and 
• newsletters.

Most copywriters have some kind of specialization and are known for it, such as a beauty writer, health writer, B2B article writer, or even a LinkedIn ghostwriter.

But of course, you could be a generalist or have even a few specializations if you prefer.

Is it worth becoming a copywriter in 2025?

46% of B2B marketers say their content budgets will increase in 2025. 

I’m not surprised, since content marketing drives:

• demand/leads (74%) 
• subscriptions/nurturing (62%) 
• sales impact (49%) 

There's rigorous demand and big budgets for human, conversational content. Plus, AI-generated “slop fatigue,” writers who can connect with readers stand out more than ever.

Joe Pulizzi, founder of Content Marketing Institute, backs this belief: 

— "AI can create a lot of content, but humans still lead in what content is worth creating." 

I believe AI's true way of impact is in coordination and content operations, not creation.

Brands are looking for authentic voices, and human writers who can create emotional connections are more valuable than ever. 

Learn the basics

🎥 Watch: [Start Copywriting FAST – 8 Steps for Beginners]

→ In this video from Alex Cattoni, you’ll learn the 8 steps to start copywriting FAST — from building empathy, to writing words that persuade your reader to become a buyer.

How much can you make?

Worldwide, copywriters typically earn $15–$90/hr, depending on experience and niche. Others are paid per word, and if you have specialized expertise (i.e., in health), you may earn $1.25 a word. For simpler topics, rates are usually $0.30–$0.50 per word.

About what writers earn worldwide 👉🏻 [Freelance Writer Rates]

6) Design

Ever see a billboard, some product packaging, or a social media post and think, "wow, that actually looks really cool"? Yep, you can thank a designer for that.

Is it worth becoming a designer in 2025?

We're seeing some double-digit growth in UI/UX specifically, based on a study that collected and quantified over 22,500 data points.

I also checked out what's happening on freelance job sites, and took a look at the Fiverr Business Trends Index and Upwork data.

And it’s legit, job postings and searches for all kinds of design services have jumped significantly in areas like

• website design
• 3D product rendering
• Social media content design
• branding/creative

On the branding side, client expectations have now shifted to expecting both great quality and delivery yesterday.

And you can probably guess the buzzword designers can’t stop mentioning:

→ (AI powered design + human touch)

It’s the hottest combo across the creative world, and design is no exception.

Creative demand is booming again. Designers who are familiar with AI tools and can interconnect them with human brilliance will be in the best positions. 

Learn the basics

🎥 Watch: [The 2025 UI/UX Crash Course for Beginners - Learn Figma]

→ This DesignCourse tutorial shows you how to go from wireframes to full mockups using Figma. You’ll see the real design workflow step by step.

How much can you make?

On Upwork, you are looking at designer rates in the $15- $35/hr range. However, this is pretty low for experienced designers. Most freelancers who are professionals will say they earn much more. Top-tier designers can earn $100-150/hr or higher.

More about how much you can earn 👉🏻 [Freelance Designer Rates]

7) Digital Marketing

A digital marketer enhances a brand’s online presence via

• social media,
• search engines,
• ads,
• emails,

and every other avenue that allows consumers to find the brand.

The objective is to take someone from awareness to trust, and from trust to sales.

But digital marketing is not one job any longer; it's a toolkit. Some marketers excel at SEO. Others are experts in Instagram ads.

The ones who shine? They go deep into one skill and establish credible authority around it.

Is it worth becoming a digital marketer in 2025?

This year, global ad spend is expected to reach $1.17 trillion, a 7% increase from last year.

Companies have the budget, but they are reallocating to what provides verifiable ROI: social media and content marketing are increasingly becoming joint drivers of digital growth.

And that engine is now powered by AI.

93% of managers and 83% of teams say AI has improved ROI, personalization, data use, and cost efficiency.

For freelancers, that means: Brands are looking for strategic operators to turn creativity and data into results.

Budgets are growing fast, it's freelancers who are able to corral creativity and data that will be at the forefront of the new wave of marketing.

Learn the basics

🎥 Watch: [Digital Marketing 101 - A Complete Beginner's Guide to Marketing]

→ Laurie Wang’s video walks you through how the main digital marketing channels (SEO, email, social, ads) connect and work together. Ideal for beginners.

How much can you make?

In the mid to lower market, Upwork rates usually range from $15–$45 per hour. But if you're an expert in a strategic field (like SEO in the US/CA market), you can earn $75–$200/hr. Performance-based pay is also common in roles like ad management.

8) Education

When you can learn something new without even stepping into a school setting, congratulations, you are learning online.

As a freelance teacher or coach, you can teach students in so many different "areas".

This could be about:

• Work-related skills (project management, design, etc.)
• Personal development (such as confidence, productivity, life skills)
• Or anything more academic, such as languages, academic subjects, and even complex sciences. 

You can provide recorded courses together, or you can lead live classes together over groups of video conferencing calls. You can set it up however you would like, as this is your setup in life. 

Is it worth becoming an educator in 2025?

Some educators are selling fully designed course packs, and some are operating "cohort-based" classes, which are small groups of people learning together at the same time. And this concept is projected to go from $3.8B in 2024 to $15.2B by 2033.

Language learning is also growing. Expected to grow to 21.1B in 2025 and more than double by 2030. There is a significant demand for speaking coaches and fluency mentors.

On the coaching side, the number of coaches in the world has grown 15% from 2023, and it is now greater than 122,974.

And many coaches are not strictly doing coaching:

• 60% are also teaching
• 57% are also consultants
• 49% are also mentoring

Most significantly, 59% of coaches expect to earn more next year.

On the business side, Learning and Development leaders are going deeper on AI training and closing skills gaps. More businesses are looking to hire external experts (coaches and educators) for flexible, impactful training.

Meanwhile, companies like Coursera and Udemy are also seeing solid growth in revenue and users. This is bringing normalization to online learning and is paving the way for a new wave of freelancers in the space.

Learn the basics

🎥 Watch: [Teach Online in 2025 | How to Start & Succeed as an Online Teacher]

→ Jamie (ESL Teacher 365)’s video explains how to begin teaching online in 2025, main pathways (companies, marketplaces, freelance), key requirements (TEFL, technology, niche), and tips for beginners, especially for non-native teachers.

How much can you make?

Costs depend on the subject and the tutor’s level of expertise.

Most tutors on Upwork charge $20–$40/hr, while in-person, 1:1 coaching in Europe could go for $100/hr+, and up to $200/hr. The most lucrative tutoring markets include tutoring STEM, software, data science, AI, ML, and no-code.

Where working freelance finally feels effortless!

When you work with Ruul, you will avoid all of that usual freelancing nonsense:

• Get your invoice in a few seconds (VAT is calculated automatically).
• Sell your services in 190 countries and 140 currencies, even crypto!
• Showcase your portfolio, services, subscriptions, and products. All in one Space.
• Get paid directly to your bank within 1 day, or on the spot with crypto.

Ruul removes the roadblocks for ease of freelancing.

Sign up now, join thousands of other independents, and get paid in 2025 how you deserve!

FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid freelance job?

AI and blockchain engineers had the highest earnings in 2025, while making $150-$200/hr. These freelance professionals build core systems (AI platforms, smart contracts, and secure infrastructure) which are in constant demand due to the critical need in the global economy.

2. How much do freelance AI engineers make?

Freelance AI engineers earn about $35-$160 an hour, while senior specialists in the field of MLOps or infrastructure earn more than $200 an hour. As more corporations begin using and scaling AI systems within their operations, the pay will continue to escalate.

3. What is best for freelancing?

Software, AI, design work, copywriting, and digital marketing ranked highest for freelancers in 2025. These jobs combine creativity and tech, can pay extremely well ($20-$150+/hour), and will continue to be in demand for many years, even beyond the advent of AI.

4. Which skill is best for freelancing in 2025?

AI, software, and cybersecurity skills ranked the highest for freelancing in 2025. Skills combining tech with creativity, like AI-powered coding or UX design work, will be highly sought after and hard to compete with on a global level.