Hello, dear freelance developer! Are you a beginner or an experienced one who seeks ways to boost income? No matter what, let’s talk about the freelance developer rates.
Because everyone talks about it, saying nothing solid about it. I will try to be specific and practical here.
If you're ready, let's take a deep dive into freelance developer rates in 2025.
Let's get started!
Freelance developer rates by experience level
Worldwide, freelance developers' rates can range from $10 to $300 per hour. This difference is due to factors such as experience, country, role, and complexity of the project.
But I will not put this useless info on the table and leave. Let’s see how you can use this wide range.
As a beginner, these numbers can show you where you need to position yourself. For clients, it's a quick way to gauge what kind of specialist you can hire with your budget.
These rates are not set in stone. Niche skills, urgent deadlines, or a strong track record can push you to a higher level (or beyond).
You’ll learn more realistic rates in a moment. We'll analyze developer rates on freelance platforms and in different geographies.
The quick way to find out your hourly rate
Want to quickly find out your average hourly earnings? Let Ruul’s freelance hourly rate calculator help you.
- Currency (euro, USD, lira, etc.)
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Freelance developer fees according to project size
If you're a freelancer or a client thinking about working on a project basis, it's hard to give a definite cost. That's because the price can go anywhere from three figures to five figures.
So, take these numbers as approximations. The final cost will always depend on the exact features, deadlines, and what you're expecting.
- Small projects: Simple websites, small mobile apps, or mini-tools that solve a very specific problem can cost around $500 to $5,000.
- Medium projects: This is where things get serious. E-commerce sites, full-featured web and mobile apps might require a budget of around $5,000 to $50,000.
- Large projects: Custom solutions like ERP systems, AI platforms, or applications for sectors like finance and healthcare typically cost $50,000 and up.
If you’re a developer, use these ranges to know what to charge without underselling yourself. If you’re hiring, they’ll help you set a realistic budget.
Developer rates on freelance platforms
Thinking about taking the plunge into freelancing? Or maybe you're already there and wondering if you're charging the right rate. Either way, here's what the numbers actually look like when you work on big platforms like Upwork, and here's the answer.
Let's start with Upwork!
1. Freelance developer rates on Upwork
On Upwork, one of the most popular freelancing platforms, the hourly rate for freelance software developer rates ranges from $10 to $100. This varies depending on the industry you serve, your skills, experience, and client reviews.
Again on Upwork, the hourly rate for freelance web developer rates from $15 to $50. This clearly shows how much wages can vary depending on the developer role.
Rates for more specific developer jobs on Upwork:
- Web developers: $15-$50/hour
- Mobile app developers: $18-$39/hour
- Android developers: $15-$35/hour
- IOS developers: $16-$35/hour
- Game developers: $15-$35/hour
- Artificial intelligence engineers: $35-$60/hour
- Blockchain developers: $30-$59/hour
Specialized developer skills, such as AI and blockchain, generally merit higher wages. Fees for general roles fall in the middle.
If you’re a dev, use this as a benchmark to set your hourly rates (and maybe push them higher if you’ve got rare skills). If you’re hiring, expect to pay more for niche expertise.
2. Freelance developer rates on Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com is a popular job board for developers with a high volume of work. And that competition drives rates way down compared to places like Upwork. I checked it out for you, and here’s what I found.
Many developers here are from countries with a lower cost of living, like India, and they’re willing to work for as little as $8/hour. Even top-rated developers often charge $15-$30/hour, which is well below the global average.
If you’re a developer, that can feel discouraging. But there’s a workaround. Instead of competing on hourly rates, you can try selling project-based packages.
I’ve seen offers like:
- Website design in 7 days | $540
- 1-day app design | $100
- Website in 1 day | $430
If you work fast and deliver high quality, packages can help you earn more without getting trapped in the low-hourly-rate game.
3. Freelance developer rates on Fiverr
If this is your first time using Fiverr, here's the bottom line: there is no hourly work here. There are only service packages. They create a package, set the price and the customer either buys it or moves on to something else.
The developer categories are incredibly broad. More than 50 different roles are listed in this area alone. And the price range? There is a service for everyone. I've seen packages as cheap as $5 and as expensive as $1,500.
In the Android app developer category, for example, there was a $3,966 package right next to a $91 package. And both are making sales. What matters here is how you position your offer and how you demonstrate the value you provide.
Now let's look at a platform in the premium segment.
4. Freelance developer rates on Toptal
Toptal is like a VIP job board for freelance developers. They only accept the top 3% of developers. So if you get in here, you are already playing in the first league. The customers here know that they are paying more and they have no problem with that.
The rates are not clear on Toptal. But I did some research and found that they usually start at $60 per hour and can go up to $150 per hour, which is already higher than most platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
Enter this information: I got these rates from freelancing platforms, where freelancers usually charge lower rates. If you have your own private clients and are in high-wage countries, you can probably charge higher rates.
The effect of geography on developer rates
Where you live (or where your client lives) can make a huge difference in what you earn or pay. But you can use geography to your advantage. Whether you’re the one writing the code or the one paying for it.
Some countries pay more.
The Index.dev's June 2025 report mentions a clear difference between Western and Eastern markets. For example, in North America (the US and Canada), AI/ML, cloud, or cybersecurity experts earn $80-140 per hour.
That's a high rate by anyone's standards.
According to the survey, Europe also ranks high. In the UK, developers typically earn $75-95 per hour, in Germany it's $70-85, and in Switzerland it's $90-120 per hour.
If you are a freelancer, you don't need to move to these countries to benefit from high rates. You just need to find clients there.
That's the glory of freelancing.
Take a look at the data from the Arc.dev 2025 survey (with 5302 people).
1. Australia, Switzerland, and the US Lead the Pack
I would like to evaluate this survey a little bit.
- Australia ranked first with an average of $74/hour.
- Switzerland is right behind with $73/hour, and
- the US is in third place with $70/hour.
Interestingly, this ranking is not just due to sample size. In fact, only 91 people from Australia participated in the survey, compared to 1,883 developers from the US. Still, Australia came out on top.
Not what you expected, right?
Other countries in the ranking, such as France, Sweden, Lebanon, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, pay $60-67 per hour. These are still solid wages, especially when compared to the global average.
2. Lowest developer rates: Pakistan, Ukraine, and India
Let's look at the countries at the bottom of the ranking, which have the lowest wages. Again, we will continue with reference to the Arc.dev survey.
Which countries have the lowest freelance developer rates:
- Pakistan: 43 $/hour
- Ukraine: $44/hour
- India: $46/hour
You probably won't be happy working in these markets as an experienced developer. But there is a clever way to use this to your advantage as a beginner developer.
When you work for less, you get more work. This means you can grow your portfolio quickly as a beginner. Then, as your experience grows, you can move into higher-paying markets.
3. Why do developer rates change so much by country
Could the countries with the highest and lowest prices lead us down the path of strategy?
Let me tell you.
There is no mystery here. First, the cost of living is an important factor. All freelance salaries are affected by the cost of living, not just developer fees.
Rates are naturally higher where everyday life is expensive, such as in Switzerland or Norway. In countries where costs are lower, such as India or Ukraine, rates fall.
So obviously, low wages are not caused by low skill levels.
Of course, there is also the game of supply and demand. In developed economies, there is often a shortage of qualified developers, which drives up prices. In other countries, the talent pool exceeds demand, which keeps prices low.
Specialization is another important factor. If you work in popular areas like AI, cybersecurity or blockchain, you have the potential to earn 40-60% more than the average developer in your country.
4. Convert geographic variables to your advantage
How do you turn geographical price changes to your advantage as a freelancer or client? Let's take a closer look; maybe this will enlighten you.
- Clients who want to hire freelance developers can hire developers from the Far East and Eastern Europe to reduce their costs.
For example, a US company can reduce total fees by up to 30-35% by hiring developers from Eastern Europe. This is where geographically varying developer prices become an advantage (for customers).
- Conversely, freelancers can also position themselves by targeting the international market.
For example, a developer in Turkey may be able to charge a much higher hourly rate by targeting projects in the US or EU market. Having niche skills (e.g., artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud architecture) is also a way to increase fees.
If you want your global revenue to grow, don’t waste time on invoicing or taxes. Ruul handles the whole process for you, sending invoices in 190 countries, getting paid in 140+ currencies, staying tax-compliant, and speeding up payments.
Which developer roles pay the highest?
Some roles can lead to higher rates. Put simply, a software developer usually earns more than a web developer. The reason is that software development requires more education, as well as technical skills and expertise.
Now, let's take a look at some of the highest-paying developer roles, including some new ones.
1. Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML) Engineering
This newer, niche role requires expertise in tools like Python, TensorFlow, and PyTorch, along with a strong background in statistics and data science.
On Upwork, freelance AI engineers can earn between $35–$60 per hour, while other freelance engineers might earn $50–$200 per hour.
2. Cybersecurity Engineering
This isn't a new role, but the demand for cybersecurity is on the rise.
On Upwork, cybersecurity engineers typically charge between $40–$90 per hour.
3. Blockchain Development
Blockchain technology is another new and promising field, which means blockchain developers can expect to earn higher rates now and in the future. Freelancers on Upwork typically earn between $30–$59 per hour.
But if you have a strong grasp of Solidity, Rust, smart contracts, and crypto security, you can likely earn even more.
4. Cloud Computing and DevOps
The average cloud computing engineer earns about $62 per hour. However, developers who are proficient in cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, as well as DevOps tools, can command even higher rates.
5. Data Science / Data Engineering
Professionals in data analysis, big data, and machine learning are also well-paid. According to sources, data scientists earn around $55 per hour. The most sought-after tech skills in this field include knowledge of Python, R, SQL, statistics, and machine learning libraries.
New trends in freelance developer rates
The rates of freelance developers have changed drastically over the years. One bias here is that most people think that developer rates are going down. On the contrary, freelance developers' rates are actually increasing instead of decreasing.
Let me tell you about a few data points.
According to Index.dev, the global average for freelance developers is currently $101 per hour. This is about 80% higher than the wages discussed in 2020. This increase is mainly due to general inflation and an increase in demand for software.
But the impact of AI is also being felt. Brookings Institution found that since the rise of AI, freelancers have seen a 2% drop in the number of contracts and a 5% decrease in their total income. Lower than predicted.
The reason for this decline could be the following:
Because some customers use AI for simple and routine coding tasks. This leads to some trimming of developers' tasks. Accordingly, the fees may decrease slightly.
On the other hand, demand for AI/ML, data, and cloud expertise is growing rapidly. The Index.dev study also noted that AI/ML, cybersecurity, and blockchain developers earn 40-60% more than other general software developers.
Finally, I cannot fail to mention the positive finding. According to FullStack's 2025 report, while AI-powered coding tools increase developers' productivity, they do not directly reduce hourly rates. Instead, they only help reduce overall project costs.
Get paid like a global pro with Ruul!
You have learned how geography can affect (or increase) your revenue. So why limit yourself to the local market?
Even if you live in a country with low developer wages, like India or Ukraine, you can work with clients in Australia, Switzerland or the US and earn $74 an hour instead of $43.
This means almost doubling the price without writing a single line of extra code.
The hard part: Different countries mean different VAT rules, currencies, and legal hoops. And honestly, that admin work is enough to make you want to crawl under your desk and never come out.
That’s exactly why Ruul exists. To make going global ridiculously easy.
With Ruul, you can:
- Send invoices to clients in 190 countries
- Get paid in 140+ currencies (yes, even crypto)
- Stay VAT compliant without memorizing tax laws
- Receive payments in as little as one day
- Work with clients who don’t even need a Ruul account
All that for just 5% commission per invoice. Over 120,000 freelancers are already using it. Sign up for Ruul for free and join them. 🙌🏻
FAQs
1. What is the hourly rate for a freelance programmer?
The average hourly rate for a freelance programmer ranges from $10 to $100. Experienced, senior programmers can earn $150 or more.
2. How much does it cost to hire a freelance software developer?
Hiring a freelance software developer can cost anywhere from $10 to $100 per hour. However, if you're hiring for a project, a small-scale software project can range from $500 to $5,000.
3. What is the hourly rate of a developer?
A developer's hourly rate depends on their specific role. On Upwork, software developers earn between $10 and $100 per hour, while web developers typically earn between $15 and $50.
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