Gig Economy

Upwork Freelancer Gig Guide

Offer professional services like writing, design, development, or consulting.

58Average

Overview

Offer professional services like writing, design, development, or consulting.

Median Salary
$38,000
Weekly Hours
35
Education
Varies
Job Growth
10%

Key Metrics

Stress6/10
Work-Life Balance8/10
Job Security4/10
Remote Friendly10/10
Physical Demand1/10
Automation Risk5/10

Pros

  • +Global clients
  • +Set your rates
  • +Remote
  • +Variety

Cons

  • -Competition
  • -Platform fees
  • -Inconsistent
  • -Client management

Savings Calculator

Percentage saved10%
0%25%50%
Yearly Savings
$3,800
Monthly Savings
$317

Career & Education Resources

C

Coursera

Find Upwork Freelancer specializations

U

Udemy

Hands-on Upwork Freelancer bootcamps

in

LinkedIn Learning

Professional Upwork Freelancer paths

I

Indeed

Browse live Upwork Freelancer jobs

Career & Education Resources

C

Coursera

Find Upwork Freelancer specializations

U

Udemy

Hands-on Upwork Freelancer bootcamps

in

LinkedIn Learning

Professional Upwork Freelancer paths

I

Indeed

Browse live Upwork Freelancer jobs

WorkScore™ for Upwork Freelancer

5.4
Overall
3.2
Salary
5.0
Low Stress
8.0
WLB

Growth Outlook

10%

AI Automation Risk

Medium

Compare with Other Careers

Upwork Freelancer Salaries by City

All cities with adjusted Upwork Freelancer salaries:

San Francisco, CA
Cost of living: 202
$51,300
+35% vs national
New York, NY
Cost of living: 187
$47,500
+25% vs national
Seattle, WA
Cost of living: 172
$47,500
+25% vs national
Boston, MA
Cost of living: 178
$47,500
+25% vs national
Los Angeles, CA
Cost of living: 173
$45,600
+20% vs national
Chicago, IL
Cost of living: 121
$39,900
+5% vs national
Austin, TX
Cost of living: 110
$39,900
+5% vs national
Denver, CO
Cost of living: 121
$39,900
+5% vs national
Miami, FL
Cost of living: 132
$39,900
+5% vs national
Portland, OR
Cost of living: 131
$39,900
+5% vs national
Dallas, TX
Cost of living: 102
$38,760
+2% vs national
Houston, TX
Cost of living: 96
$37,240
2% vs national
Atlanta, GA
Cost of living: 103
$37,240
2% vs national
Phoenix, AZ
Cost of living: 101
$36,100
5% vs national
Nashville, TN
Cost of living: 101
$36,100
5% vs national

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my first client?

Start with smaller jobs to build reviews.

What skills pay best?

Development, design, and specialized consulting.

Is Upwork growing?

Yes, tied to remote work.