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Forbes
09-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Top Freelance Niches Booming This Summer, Backed By Data
Freelancing is a business, not a one-person pie-in-the-sky project, so give it the research it ... More deserves Are you still relying on guesswork to figure out which freelance skills will pay off? If you're going off based on gut feeling, what seems right to you, or what you assume the market needs, you're already starting off on the wrong foot. Freelancing is a business, just like any other startup or enterprise. And because it's a business, you can't afford to guess your way into success. You need hard, concrete data from the most relevant and credible sources to ensure you're on the right path to building your income and attracting clients. The Upwork Research Institute, which is the team of analysts behind the freelance platform, Upwork, recently analyzed its database and discovered that AI and ML (machine learning) are two of the most in-demand skills for 2025. That's hardly a surprise, given the rise in traction when it comes to AI, particularly within the U.S. But what if you're not interested in working directly in AI development specifically? Are there any other options for you to make money as a freelancer? There absolutely are. Upwork discovered a number of freelance niches that hold strong earning potential, due to their high demand across the platform. They are listed below, divided into categories. But before we get into the full list, let's dig into something even more important: the tremendous advantages you get from 'niching' and why it's such a critical step when you're starting your freelance career and business journey: When I started my freelance business six years ago, I made a classic rookie mistake: I generalized my skills, services, and offer. Like most other freelancers I know, I was scared to narrow down my field because, after all, wouldn't that also narrow my income? Didn't I need to be all things to everyone? What if I got too exclusive and had to turn down clients? Wouldn't I lose out on money and wouldn't that stall my growth? For years I kept up this destructive habit of calling myself a 'career coach' (a very generalized title with no specific audience in mind, literally anyone from any age or background who asked for it was on my radar) until, several trainings, books read, potential income and clients lost, and observations later, I came to realize this one thing: the corny phrase, 'the riches are in the niches' actually matters. Deciding to narrow my focus to a very specific audience and type of career coaching proved beneficial for me because that's when ultimately everything in my life, career, finances, and business, changed. Even though initially I was worried that I'd lose out, and progress seemed slow, it eventually took off and within six months I became known as a leadership expert specifically for mid-level managers. I was approached by professionals who were serious about long-term career growth, landing promotions, and succeeding in their management and leadership positions. And even though I've since pivoted to a different aspect of my business and no longer focus on delivering leadership-focused services per se, this mindset shift is what enabled me to make the pivot to where I am now in the first place. And even now, with my current business set-up, I'm very clear on who I serve, and who doesn't fall into that category. I understand the services I provide, have a clear, direct offer, and am not generic with it. Because I'm clear on what I offer, I don't waste time because I won't pitch to, or engage with, 'potential' clients who do not fit my niche. This is what you call a sub-niche. A sub-niche is when you have a very broad category (like web development) and you narrow this down to something like UX/UI design. From there, you can laser focus on a specific group of customers who, from your research, demonstrate high demand for this service (say, banking firms and financial institutions, for example). This gives you the double advantage of not only establishing yourself as highly unique, but you increase your credibility and reduce competition since you're seen as a domain expert. After all, there are likely thousands of freelance UX/UI designers out there, but only a fraction who specialize in financial apps only. Additionally, because you're now a domain expert, it's easier for you to establish thought leadership, and you can also charge a premium because you're not generalizing your offer anymore: you're providing a bespoke solution. Now that you understand more about "niching," let's get back to the Upwork list of freelance niches in high demand this year, so you can jump into creating a solid offer and start making money this summer (and of course, don't forget to sub-niche once you've selected one): There are quite a few niches in here, so it's almost a guarantee that there'll be something for you regardless of your professional background or expertise. Figuring out your niche allows you to charge a premium and develop thought leadership Your task today is simple: to start making money from your skill and niche this summer, figure out where your skillset and expertise lies on from the above list of in-demand niches, then define and zone in on your subniche. From here on, this is how you'll brand yourself as a professional and promote your services.
Forbes
27-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Freelancing: Workers Are Ditching 9-To-5 Jobs To Earn $1.5 Trillion
The American workforce is fed up with worrying daily about losing their jobs. They are leaving ... More traditional jobs and turning to freelancing where they're finding greater autonomy and financial control, out-earning their fully-employed colleagues. Amid the economic instability and mass layoffs in the country, the American workforce is fed up with worrying on a daily basis about losing their jobs. They are seeking greater autonomy and financial control through freelancing. Statistics show that two in three laid-off workers are happier building freelancing careers. And one in five employees have begun freelancing or started their own business to escape favoritism in traditional workplaces. Plus, a new study finds that workers are ditching traditional jobs for freelancing, out-earning their full-time colleagues with an annual $1.5 trillion annual salary last year alone. A major shift is underway in this country in how work gets done. More Americans are opting out of traditional jobs and transitioning into freelancing jobs. Working in a job that could end at any moment creates stress and limits your control over your life. The word 'freelance' is resonating big time with the U.S. workforce. Freelancing frees you up with the autonomy to be the captain of your own ship, instead of a passenger, whose fate is determined by big business that might not have your best interests at heart. Nearly half of American workers are using secondary income sources, and the numbers continue to rise. The Upwork Research Institute surveyed 3,000 skilled knowledge workers, revealing a shift away from the conventional nine-to-five job, signaling a transformation in the way work is structured and performed in this country. The American workforce is opting for greater control over their career, financial future and ability to pursue work that is meaningful. The report finds that freelancers are outpacing full-time employees in earning power, AI adoption, expertise in high-growth categories of work and critical human skills required to work alongside AI. Full-time freelancers out-earned their full-time employee counterparts, earning a median income of $85,000. And employees who performed freelance knowledge work alongside their full-time jobs, earned $40,000 in addition to their full-time wages. Other key results include: There are five major benefits to being a freelancer: 1. You get to be your own boss and call the shots. 2. You gain flexibility when you work in a location of your choosing. 3. You're in control of your personal and financial future. 4. You can pursue work that is personally meaningful that you're passionate about. 5. You have the potential to out-earn your full-time traditionally employed colleagues. In addition, the Upwork report says that skilled freelancers are more future-ready than full-time employees, excelling in emerging fields such as AI, software development and sustainability while embracing continuous learning and self-directed skill development. They are leading the adoption of AI tools, with over half (54%) reporting advanced proficiency and indicating superior adaptability, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities—key attributes for navigating an AI-integrated workforce. 'Although business leaders remain hesitant to embrace non-traditional talent models, our research shows that those who leverage this growing talent pool drive higher revenue growth,' the annual report asserts. 'These findings highlight a growing imperative for businesses: as more skilled workers opt for self-managed, long-term careers centered on continuous learning and skill variety, business leaders must adapt their talent strategies to include these professionals. Failing to do so is to risk widening skills gaps and falling behind in a rapidly shifting world of work.' According to the Upwork report, there's a difference between skilled knowledge work performed on a freelance or contract basis and gig work. Skilled knowledge workers apply highly specialized expertise toward solving organizational challenges, the report states. Skilled freelancers often have post-graduate degrees (37%), compared to their full-time employee counterparts (20%) and translate this knowledge into the delivery of skilled services (such as computer programming, marketing, creative design and IT). The report identifies four types of freelancing within the broad category of skilled freelancing, each mode approaches and manages work in different ways: 1. Freelance Business Owner (make up 33%). A self-employed professional who runs their own business, managing multiple clients and projects. 2. Agency Freelancer (make up 43%). A freelancer working through an agency that delivers full-service solutions to organizations, popular among Gen Z professionals. 3. Managed Services Freelancer (make up 33%). A freelancer who works on a team delivering managed services, often focused on one organization and project at a time. 4. AI-Enabled Freelancer (make up 31%). A freelancer who combines human skills with AI tools, popular among Gen Z and moonlighters, balancing freelance work with full-time jobs. Note: The researchers point out that these percentages exceed 100% due to freelancers taking on multiple modes of working. Perhaps one of the biggest downsides of freelancing is reported in a new Fronteegg study, showing that 35% of freelancers have missed time-sensitive contracts due to login failures, and 30% lost a paycheck on high-paying opportunities. The study mentions that freelancers lose an average of $1,018 from lockouts. Freelancers spend nearly a full workday (about seven hours) regaining access after being shut out. In the past, login issues have forced 20% of freelancers to walk away from active work, and nearly one in three freelancers have switched platforms over login frustrations. But overall, the Upwork report finds skilled freelancers are finding a freedom that traditional full-time employment models don't allow. These workers are finding the initial value proposition of working non-traditionally holds true," the report concludes. "The top reasons skilled freelancers started freelancing in the first place—to have flexibility, to be their own boss, and to pursue meaningful work—are the same reasons they continue.'
