By Kristen Bahler
January 9, 2018


But don’t start frothing at the mouth just yet, cubicle warrior. That kind of dough still doesn’t come easy.


“The more specialized you are, the more premium you’re going to command,” says Rich Pearson, Upwork’s Senior VP of Marketing. “These are pretty unique skills in the marketplace.”


“Network Analysis,” which involves complex datasets and virtual systems, is the best-paid skill by a long shot — averaging a whopping $200 an hour, according to Upwork. “Computer vision,” a component of AI development, averages $145 an hour. The third and fourth highest-paid skills, “,” a programming language, and “neural networks,” a component of machine learning, average $140 an hour each.


A few non-tech skills will also nab freelancers a hefty sum: Intellectual property law experts earn an average $120 an hour, and legal professionals in trade and privacy law make about $115 an hour. Freelancers who know how to write a catchy jingle, or do “ad lyrics writing,” make an average of $100 an hour.

The data speaks to what many have long suspected — that freelancing isn’t just a between-jobs crutch; it’s an intrinsic part of our workforce. And as more employers inside and outside the tech industry look beyond their walls to fill skill gaps, it’s a rare look at what they value most.

“There’s a surge of new freelancers at the beginning of every year,” Pearson says. “If I was a freelancer today, this is where I would focus my energy.”

Here’s the full list:

Top 20 Lucrative Skills for Freelancers

  1. Network analysis ($200)
  2. Computer vision ($145)
  3. ($140)
  4. Neural networks ($140)
  5. Firmware engineering ($130)
  6. Hardware prototyping ($130)
  7. Cloud computing ($125)
  8. Intellectual property law ($120)
  9. Trade law ($115)
  10. Privacy law ($115)
  11. Spatial analysis ($110)
  12. Apple Watch ($110)
  13. NetSuite development ($110)
  14. Acquisition strategy ($110)
  15. Algorithm development ($100)
  16. Software debugging ($100)
  17. Digital signal processing ($100)
  18. Ad lyrics writing ($100)
  19. Natural language processing ($100)
  20. Data processing ($100)

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