Freelance positions can be lifesavers, bridging the gap between full-time jobs and providing critical supplemental income during uncertain economic times. Fortunately, companies benefit from freelance gigs, too. Businesses struggling financially to bring on regular, long-term employees can turn to freelancers to fill in their staffing gaps until the economy rebounds.
Freelance roles can have various schedules, including part-time, flexible schedule, alternative schedule, long-term, short-term, seasonal, and occasional basis. Although freelance side jobs are often part-time, keep in mind that you can combine two or more smaller side gigs to create full-time employment—often with more flexibility than a traditional role may offer.
Top Freelance Side Jobs for Professionals
To highlight the variety of side jobs available, we’ve identified 25 freelance jobs that are perfect for supplemental income, along with their average hourly wage. Bonus: Most of them also offer remote options!
1. Bookkeeper
Bookkeepers record and maintain an organization’s financial transactions, including expenses, purchases, invoices, payments, and sales revenue. Typical duties include updating the general ledger and account reconciliation.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $17
2. Career Coach
Career coaches help clients identify career goals, develop skills, and plan for career changes. Services provided include resume and cover letter review, interview coaching, and helping job seekers identify career opportunities.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $14
3. Curriculum Writer
The primary duties of a curriculum writer include developing educational lessons, instructional materials, and activities for teachers. Curriculum writers may also research academic trends and review current materials.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $27
4. Consultant
Consultants conduct research and analyze information to provide advice and expertise that helps businesses improve performance, efficiency, and profitability. Consultants work across a variety of industries and departments.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $59
5. Copy Editor
Copy editors review written materials to ensure proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. They may also verify facts, edit for style, and arrange page layouts for both online and print publications.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $19
6. Customer Service Representative
Third-party services and individual companies hire customer service representatives to assist customers with product and service usage, adding or reducing services, resolving issues, and more.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $14
7. Editor
Editors work with print and online publications, companies, and organizations to ensure their content is well-written and compelling. Responsibilities can include preparing, rewriting, and editing copy.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $20
8. Executive Assistant
An executive assistant provides administrative support to senior-level managers, including coordinating executive communications, preparing expense reports, managing calendars, and making travel arrangements.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $21
9. Graphic Designer
Working with various brands, companies, government agencies, or nonprofits, graphic designers create visual concepts and design branding, web pages, print publications, marketing collateral, and other communication materials.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $17
10. Health Coach
Health coaches assess their clients’ lifestyles and make recommendations for nutritional and behavioral changes that support health and wellness. Health coaches may also create and deliver written materials and seminars.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $20
11. Interpreter
People with outstanding language skills in two or more languages can interpret, translate, and re-communicate written and verbal messages to facilitate communication between parties. Interpreters can work in a variety of industries.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $20
12. Lead Generation Specialist
Lead generation specialists coordinate with marketing teams to reach out to and engage potential clients in order to grow new business. They may also handle inbound phone and email inquiries from clients.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $14
13. Medical Coder
Health insurance companies and medical providers hire medical coders to assist with medical billing by ensuring accurate and fast coding of patient visits, procedures, and related information.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $19
14. Online ESL Teacher
People with excellent speaking and writing skills can work as online ESL teachers to help non-native English speakers learn to speak, read, understand, and write English. Teachers may also design lessons and prepare course materials.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $20
15. Photographer
Photographers use creative solutions to capture and edit photos of events, people, objects, and places for various clients, including small businesses, organizations, and individuals.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $17
16. Project Manager
Project managers plan and oversee projects to ensure timely completion within budget. Duties include planning project resources, preparing budgets, monitoring progress, and keeping project teams updated on progress.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $26
17. Proofreader
Proofreaders help educational publications, news outlets, book publishers, online companies, and other content producers create high-quality content by proofreading for spelling, consistency, grammar, usage, punctuation, and syntax.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $18
18. Quantitative Market Researcher
A quantitative market researcher uses polls, surveys, and questionnaires to research markets and gather information from target audiences. Responsibilities may also include analyzing responses and creating detailed research reports.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $19
19. Recruiter
Companies often hire recruiters to search out qualified job candidates and to recruit and evaluate applicants. They may also attend job fairs, conduct screening and skills assessments, and negotiate wage rates.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $18
20. Resume Writer
Resume writers prepare resumes for job applicants by evaluating their qualifications, job history, and experience. They also incorporate words and formatting that will be most favorable for the intended industry and employer.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $20
21. Social Media Manager
Social media managers design and implement social media strategies by performing research, generating content, monitoring web traffic, communicating with followers, and helping to develop brand awareness.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $16
22. Transcriber
Transcribers use speedy and precise typing skills to create written records of a variety of content, including meetings, conversations, and audio and video recordings. Transcribers also review drafts for completeness and accuracy.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $15
23. Tutor
In a small group or one-on-one setting, tutors help clients learn subjects like math, science, and languages, or help prepare them for specific standardized tests like the ACT, SAT, GMAT, or LSAT. They may also create instructional materials.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $18
24. Virtual Assistant
Using a combination of skills, virtual assistants act as administrative and personal assistants for clients while working remotely. Duties may include answering emails, scheduling meetings, and arranging travel.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $16
25. Writer
Writers create content in the form of manuscripts, articles, blog posts, marketing materials, website copy, and more for various companies and clients, including online media outlets and print publications.
- U.S. national average hourly rate: $20
Popular Industries for Freelance Jobs
Some career fields are more likely to hire for freelance jobs than others, especially during tumultuous economic times. These industries often have the most available freelance positions:
- Computer & IT
- Accounting & Finance
- HR & Recruiting
- Editing, Proofreading, and Writing
- Administrative
- Project Management
Find Your Freelance Side Gig
If you’re like most Americans, you can always use some extra cash in your pocket, even in a healthy economy. But when the job market is struggling and your freelance side hustle becomes your main source of income, it can be a true lifeline.
Courtesy of Flexjobs
Owala Kids FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Straw, BPA-Free Sports Water Bottle, Great for Travel, 16 oz, All the Berries
$22.99 (as of July 26, 2024 13:35 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
