I'm studying computer science and have only grasped the basics so far. I want to start taking on projects to improve my skills and eventually dive into freelancing to earn some money. However, I'm unclear on what kinds of freelance work are available and what skills I should focus on. I'm considering areas like web development, software development, or even cybersecurity tasks like bug hunting. I currently only know Python, so I'm curious about what freelancers actually get commissioned for and how much they typically make.
3 Answers
Honestly, unless you have a decade of experience in a specialized area, companies are looking for someone to solve problems rather than someone with just coding skills. You might want to learn how to set up WordPress or Shopify sites instead. There are tons of small businesses that need help with websites and might not even know how to do it themselves. Learning that can take just a few weeks! Just remember, a lot of freelancing is also about managing your business—like client communications and marketing, so be prepared for that aspect too.
It really depends on various factors, like your network, your location, and the competition you face. There's no uniform answer to this since it varies so much from person to person.
Your earnings will heavily depend on your skills and whether others can offer those services for less. For instance, I work with specific technologies and charge around $28.50 per hour, but for bigger projects like eCommerce setups, I can charge $500. If you're doing something basic like React front-end work, you'll face competition from developers in countries where prices can be as low as $5-$10 an hour.
I see your point! I might not have programming experience, but I've been around senior engineers retiring and then coming back as freelancers. I suppose competition in programming could be similar.