Digital transformation continues to revolutionize how we do business, from product innovation and streamlining processes to data-driven decision-making. It impacts every facet of the job market. Companies are challenging to address evolving talent requirements that are becoming specialized. Rapid technology changes also affect employees and freelancers. Armed with the knowledge that the half-life of a learned skill is five years, they strive to stay ahead of the curve. Seeking ways to learn and acquire knowledge and adding skills remain competitive.
From technology and programming to marketing and product management, in-demands jobs continue to change. It’s important to know your market and see which type of jobs and skills get paid the most, so you can start learning a new skill for a freelance career.
In this article, we have highlighted some of the highest paying jobs and in-demand skills. We briefly review what these positions entail, the general skills sets needed, and the typical pay range.
1. Block-Chain And Cryptocurrency Programming:
It’s a programming language that manages and stores information about cryptocurrency transactions. Block-chain programming makes each entry highly resistant to external modification. The online transaction is transparent, it’s not interfered with by anyone who doesn’t own the data. Due to unbreakable security companies are predicted to invest in blockchain. There aren’t enough experts with sufficient knowledge to code and manage blockchain. You will find multiple clients looking for blockchain specialists.
- Average Annual Salary: $127,000/-
- The average hourly wage is $150/-
2. Amazon Web Services (AWS):
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the cloud storage provider used by many big companies like Netflix, Airbnb, and Pinterest. As Verge’s report says, if you block all the content on AWS, you leave with 60% of the internet. Two paths can take as an AWS Architect. You can work for AWS to provide cloud services to companies with Amazon’s online storage. Make sure to build a strong base and charge monthly.
- Average Annual Salary: $113,000/-
- The average hourly wage is $74/-
3. Mobile App Development:
The demand for both Android and IOS apps is growing. The report shows that last year app stores recorded over 200 billion downloads. Users have spent $120 billion on apps and in-app purchases. People spend an average of 3 hours a day using their phones. Companies are focusing on their services through mobile apps. It’s an opportunity for mobile app developers to capitalize on their abilities. Companies are looking for freelancers to design, code, and test applications on mobile phones.
- Average Annual Salary: $107,000/-
- The average hourly wage is $61-$80/-
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development:
According to research, AI roles make a majority of the top emerging positions for 2020 as companies are revealing AI development plans. 50% of businesses already use a form of machine learning. AI is used to make life simpler as each algorithm is designed with the real-life problem in mind. AI is a broad area that requires a specialist to know how to create algorithms, a program working voice or facial recognition software, and construct fully-working robots.
Choosing AI as a freelance career will enable you to work for high-end companies. You can write your scripts for home-automated devices such as Alexa or Google Home.
- Average Annual Salary: $94,000/-
- The average hourly wage is $45/-
5. Website Design:
According to a survey, 90 % of customers decide to go with a competitor. Companies are aware of this and invest millions of dollars into their designs as the general trend shows that each dollar spends on web design generates $100 in sales. As a web designer, you are responsible for searching trends and creating drafts using software like Photoshop. Web designers have skills in website-oriented coding languages such as HTML and CSS. They often work with a front-end developer to code each site.
- Average Annual Salary: $79,000/-
- The average hourly wage is $75-$100/-
6. Website Development:
A survey in the US showed that 1 million positions will be left unfilled by 2021. This creates an enormous demand for skilled developers. It means it’s the perfect time to learn how to program a website.  You’re going to enjoy the high pay that companies offer to freelancers. It’s a great skill you can learn where companies are keener for your attention. This will gives more opportunities and recognition for your projects.
- Average Annual Salary: $75,000/-
- The average hourly wage is $75/-
7. Data Analysis:
Data analysis is the quickest growing sector in the job market. Its rapid growth has created a demand that can’t be fulfilled. According to a survey, 2.7 million data analyst job positions were available. This force businesses to compete for qualified data analyst, boosting your chances to gain enough clients and live comfortably. As a data analyst, you’ll organize and analyze large quantities of data to create informative reports for each business. A data analyst can work with web developers to create seamless data collection systems.
- Average Annual Salary: $74,000/-
- The average hourly wage is $37-$48/-
8. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO is another branch of digital marketing that requires freelancers to ensure that a client’s website shows on the first page of Google search. Consumers like to use Google to research services and products before making a purchase. 67% of links click first 5 search results. Companies that don’t rank high miss out on potential customers. Companies are investing in their SEO ranking. SEO experts in the field are low. If you enjoy fierce competition in the digital marketing world, SEO will create opportunities for you.
- Average Annual Salary: $60,000/-
- The average hourly wage is $100/-
9. Social Media Marketing:
There are approximately 3.8 billion social media users worldwide. Each of them is a potential customer to any company active on the internet. To grow popularity and revenue, businesses of all sizes showcase their services online. They do this by hiring skilled social media marketers.
Social media marketing is a perfect choice for those who get bored. As a social media marker, you’ll be creating online campaigns with the target audience in mind. Each campaign depends on what your client needs. You’ll need to keep your creativity at the highest level.
- Average Annual Salary: $54,000/-
- The average hourly wage is $45-$52/-
Graphic Design:
The graphic design market offers tremendous projects to take on. 73% of companies invest in designs on their websites and social media posts. With the right skills, you’ll be able to work on projects in marketing, web development, and user experience design. Freelance graphic designers are usually happier due to the constant use of creativity. Their career offers to come out of their comfort zone and adjust their methods and techniques. This brings excitement, challenges, and more job satisfaction when the project completes.
- Average Annual Salary: $55,000/-
- The average hourly wage is $30/-
Wrapping Up:
If you want to build a steady income and survive as a freelancer, choose to do work that you’re passionate about. Work that challenges you to learn something new everyday and makes you excited. The passion and desire inside you’ll drive you to improve your skills and lead you to earn more than everyone. Freelancing can be challenging, requires commitment and hard work with the right approach.
As a freelancer, you learn to be patient. It takes time before you start earning a steady income. You have to work hard for a short while and then it’ll be like a walk in the park.
