12 High-Paying Freelance Jobs (and Where to Find Them)

The freelance economy has evolved dramatically. What was once dominated by small creative gigs has become a global marketplace of highly paid, skilled professionals, from designers and developers to AI engineers and data analysts.

If you’re ready to scale your freelance career, this guide highlights high-paying online freelance jobs, what skills they require, and where to find verified, well-paid projects where clients post thousands of roles for creative, technical, and AI talent worldwide.


1. UX/UI Designer

User experience and interface design are at the core of every product-led company. Freelance UX/UI designers help brands create visually appealing and intuitive apps and websites that drive conversions.

Average Pay: $60–$120/hour
Key Skills: Figma, Adobe XD, usability testing, wireframing, prototyping
Why It Pays Well: Good design translates directly into revenue. Clients pay a premium for designers who understand both aesthetics and behavior.
Where to Find Work: Find UX/UI Design Jobs →


2. Web Developer

Freelance web developers continue to dominate the digital freelance market. They build, maintain, and optimize websites for startups, agencies, and global brands.

Average Pay: $50–$150/hour
Key Skills: JavaScript, React, WordPress, Next.js, backend integration
Why It Pays Well: Businesses can’t afford downtime, skilled developers are in constant demand.
Where to Find Work: Web Development Projects →


3. Mobile App Developer

App developers craft intuitive user experiences for iOS and Android products. With mobile-first design now standard, skilled designers can command strong rates.

Average Pay: $65–$130/hour
Key Skills: UI/UX, Figma, motion design, mobile prototyping
Why It Pays Well: Mobile apps drive engagement and retention, key metrics clients are willing to invest in.
Where to Find Work: Find App Development Jobs →


4. Brand Designer

Freelance brand designers develop entire visual identities, from logos and typography to social media templates and brand books.

Average Pay: $55–$110/hour
Key Skills: Adobe Creative Suite, brand strategy, typography, illustration
Why It Pays Well: A strong brand presence is crucial for visibility and trust in crowded markets.
Where to Find Work: Find Brand Design Projects →


5. 3D Artist / Animator

3D art has moved beyond gaming, it’s now in advertising, AR/VR experiences, and film production. Skilled 3D artists earn top-tier rates for their specialized expertise.

Average Pay: $80–$180/hour
Key Skills: Blender, Cinema 4D, Maya, motion graphics, rendering
Why It Pays Well: High technical complexity and creativity demand premium rates.
Where to Find Work: 3D & Animation Jobs →


6. Video Editor

Video content dominates marketing and social media, and editors who can tell compelling stories are always in demand.

Average Pay: $50–$120/hour
Key Skills: Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, storytelling, motion design
Why It Pays Well: Video drives ROI — a well-edited clip can turn campaigns viral.
Where to Find Work: Video Editing Projects →


7. Voiceover Artist

From YouTube explainers to e-learning and AI training, voiceover work has diversified. Freelancers with a professional tone and recording setup can earn consistently.

Average Pay: $100–$300 per finished hour
Key Skills: Voice acting, diction, sound editing, multilingual narration
Why It Pays Well: Clients value clarity, tone, and fast turnaround for media productions.
Where to Find Work: Find Voiceover Jobs →


8. Social Media Manager

Social presence can make or break a brand. Freelancers who manage multi-channel strategies and content calendars are vital.

Average Pay: $40–$100/hour
Key Skills: Strategy, analytics, content scheduling, community engagement
Why It Pays Well: High ROI and ongoing retainer potential from repeat clients.
Where to Find Work: Find Social Media Marketing Jobs →


9. Product Designer

Product designers blend creativity with strategy, working across UX, UI, and business objectives.

Average Pay: $75–$150/hour
Key Skills: Product strategy, research, design systems, wireframing
Why It Pays Well: These roles directly shape digital product success.
Where to Find Work: Find Product Design Jobs →


10. Game Designer / Developer

Gaming continues to surge across mobile, web, and console. Freelancers who can design or develop immersive experiences are thriving.

Average Pay: $70–$160/hour
Key Skills: Unity, Unreal Engine, storytelling, game mechanics
Why It Pays Well: The gaming industry rewards creativity and technical excellence.
Where to Find Work: Find Game Developer Jobs →


11. AI Engineer / ML Developer

AI engineers are among the highest-paid freelancers globally, building and optimizing machine learning models.

Average Pay: $100–$250/hour
Key Skills: Python, TensorFlow, data pipelines, NLP, computer vision
Why It Pays Well: High technical barrier + huge industry demand = premium pricing.
Where to Find Work: Find AI & ML Engineer Jobs →


12. Music Composers

Freelance music composers are the creative force behind soundtracks, advertisements, games, and branded content. They help shape emotional tone, brand identity, and audience engagement through music, making them highly sought-after across entertainment and marketing industries.

Average Pay: $60–$150/hour
Key Skills: Music theory, sound design, scoring, DAWs (Logic Pro, Ableton, Pro Tools), MIDI orchestration
Where to Find Work: Find Music & Audio Jobs →

Why Twine Is the Best Place to Find High-Paying Freelance Jobs

Unlike open marketplaces flooded with low-quality gigs, Twine focuses on verified clients, curated projects, and fair pay. Each project is manually reviewed, ensuring legitimate, high-value opportunities across tech, design, marketing, and AI.

What Makes Twine Different

  • Verified clients and legitimate budgets
  • Project categories across 200+ skills
  • AI job-matching to relevant projects
  • Global network of over 750,000 professionals

Explore Twine Jobs Board → to find roles that match your skillset and earn what you’re worth.


Final Thoughts

The freelance world rewards expertise and specialisation. Whether you’re designing mobile apps, editing films, or developing AI models, there’s no shortage of high-paying freelance opportunities, provided you choose the right platforms.

Start by optimising your Twine profile, showcasing your best projects, and applying to verified listings. With focus and consistency, the next big freelance contract is just one pitch away.

Raksha

When Raksha's not out hiking or experimenting in the kitchen, she's busy driving Twine’s marketing efforts. With experience from IBM and AI startup Writesonic, she’s passionate about connecting clients with the right freelancers and growing Twine’s global community.