There is a growing popularity amongst those who are moving into self-employed work and flexible careers that fit around their commitments, especially when it comes to freelance jobs.
This guide will explore the 17 best freelance jobs available and explain how you can start in each role, covering:
Contents:
- Benefits of Freelance Work
- Top Freelance Jobs Across Industries
- Tech & IT
- Creative & Media
- Fitness & Wellness
- Marketing & Business
- Other Opportunities
- How to Start Your Freelance Career
- Take the First Step Toward Your New Freelance Job Today
If your goal is to build a rewarding freelance fitness career, OriGym’s Level 4 Personal Training courses provide you with the skills and accreditation to make your dreams a reality.
Download our course prospectus to learn more about our award-winning courses.
Benefits of Freelance Work
Great freelancing jobs provide several benefits that working professionals value, including:
- Flexibility – Choose when and where you work, creating a schedule that fits your lifestyle and needs.
- Independence – Shape your career by choosing your clients and projects.
- Uncapped earning potential – Grow your earnings by taking on more clients, raising rates, or offering specialist skills.
- Ability to combine multiple freelance roles – Use multiple skills across different roles to create variety in your work.
These advantages show why working professionals are seeking out freelance occupations. Whether you prioritise one of the benefits over others, or find all applicable to your dream career, let’s take a closer look at these roles.
Top Freelance Jobs Across Industries
The best freelance careers cover a wide range of industries, offering flexibility, independence, and strong earning potential.
For those with digital skills, there are plenty of online freelance jobs in areas like software, design, and cybersecurity. Similarly, for those with practical skills, there are plenty of employers looking for in-person freelancers too.
Below are 17 of the top freelance jobs to inspire your next career move, including some of the best freelance careers in technology, design, and business.
Tech & IT
#1 – Software Developer
Average Salary: €45,640
Software developers design and build the apps, websites, and digital tools people use every day.
The role involves coding, testing, and refining software to deliver seamless digital experiences, making it one of the best freelance careers for anyone with strong technical skills.
Freelancers specialising in cloud computing, AI, or cybersecurity often charge higher rates, with some choosing to run independent consultancies for even greater income.
Skills and qualifications: A degree is not always required. Many developers build their careers through coding bootcamps, online learning, or self-study, by developing skills in JavaScript, Python and Java.
Flexibility and work options: Freelance developers are in high demand across industries like finance, healthcare, e-commerce, media, education, and startups, with opportunities to work remotely or on-site.
Clients can be secured through platforms such as Upwork and PeoplePerHour, or through networking for higher-paid contracts.
#2 – Web Designer
Average Salary: €38,329
Web designers combine creativity with technical skill, in a role that involves building new sites, refreshing existing designs, and ensuring a smooth user experience. Freelancers in UX design or e-commerce often achieve higher earnings.
Skills and qualifications: Success in web design relies on a blend of creativity and technical expertise. Core skills include:
Flexibility and work options: Freelance web designers take on projects for the likes of e-commerce brands, hospitality venues, start-ups, and marketing agencies, giving them full control over workload and creative direction.
Opportunities are widely available through platforms such as Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour.
With demand for Web Designers projected to grow by 8% until 2033, this is a flexible and future-proof career path if you possess the skills and talent.
#3 – Cybersecurity
Average Salary: €54,948
Cybersecurity analysts protect businesses from digital threats by monitoring networks, identifying risks, and preventing attacks. With the rise of remote work and stricter data protection laws, demand for this role continues to grow.
Freelancers specialising in ethical hacking, threat intelligence, or GDPR compliance often charge premium rates, while many boost income further by providing audits or ongoing monitoring for multiple clients.
Skills and qualifications: A degree in Cybersecurity can improve your employment prospects, and industry-recognised certifications can also strengthen credibility, including, CompTIA Security+, Certified Cybersecurity Technician and Certified Ethical Hacker.
Building practical experience through small business projects can also create a strong portfolio.
Flexibility and work options: Freelance opportunities are available through platforms like Upwork and Technojobs UK.
With UK cybersecurity projected to grow by 11% annually through 2030, this career offers excellent earning potential and flexibility.
Creative & Media
#4 – Graphic Designer
Average Salary: €35,844
Graphic designers use visual storytelling to create logos, branding, social media graphics, and digital content that help businesses communicate effectively. The role combines creativity with technical skill across both print and digital media.
Freelancers specialising in branding, UX, or digital-first design often secure higher-value projects and stronger financial rewards.
Skills and qualifications: A strong portfolio is essential. You’ll also need to be able to use programs like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Figma.
Flexibility and work options: Freelance graphic designers work across industries, including marketing, fashion, and technology, giving scope to shape a career that reflects your creative interests.
Opportunities are widely available through platforms like Upwork and PeoplePerHour, with networking and referrals helping secure long-term clients.
#5 – Content Writer
Average Salary: €35,106
If you’re looking for freelance jobs online, maybe content writing is for you?
Content writers craft clear and engaging text for websites, blogs, marketing campaigns, and online platforms. Freelancers who specialise in niches such as finance, fitness, or technology often command higher rates and attract long-term clients.
Skills and qualifications: Degrees in English and Marketing can improve your employment prospects. Additional training in SEO and digital marketing strengthens skills and makes writers more competitive.
Core abilities include:
- Strong writing and editing
- Research and fact-checking
- SEO knowledge
Flexibility and work options: Freelance writers find opportunities on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
Freelance content writers can also land work with publishers, agencies, and online businesses, mixing long-term retainers with flexible one-off projects.
#6 – Video Producer
Average Salary: €37,698
Video producers bring stories to life through filming, editing, and post-production. They create content for advertising campaigns, corporate events, social media, and documentaries, combining technical expertise with a unique creative vision.
Freelancers with strong portfolios and standout showreels often secure premium contracts, while mastering technical skills helps land higher-value projects.
Skills and qualifications: Higher education courses provide practical skills for beginners. However, no formal training is needed, with many employers prioritising practical experience in:
- Editing experience
- Lighting techniques
- Visual composition
Flexibility and work options: Freelance opportunities are available through platforms like Production Hub and Mandy Network, with chances to work on corporate events, social media campaigns and advertising.
Fitness & Wellness
#7 – Personal Trainer
Average Personal Trainer Salary: €39,575
Personal trainers help clients achieve fitness goals through creating bespoke workout programmes. They provide 1-to-1 coaching services, providing ongoing motivation, in settings like gyms and studios.
Skills and qualifications: An accredited Level 4 Personal Trainer Course allows you to work in gyms, where you can gain initial experience and build a client base before launching your freelance career.
Flexibility and work options: Freelance trainers often blend in-person sessions with online coaching, training clients in their local area and across the country.
To gain some initial experience, you could look for freelance job roles on sites such as Indeed. Here you can find employment opportunities, where you’ll work in gyms on a freelance basis, for a predetermined number of hours:
Alternatively, you could also start your own personal training business, setting your own hours and choosing which clients you want to work with.
With the fitness and gym market expected to grow until 2033, roles like personal training are among the best freelance careers for those passionate about health and wellness.
#8 – Yoga Instructor
Average Hourly Salary: €26.28
Yoga instructors guide students through poses, transitions, breathing techniques, and relaxation practices to improve strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. Work settings include studios, gyms, wellness centres and outdoors.
Skills and qualifications: To teach professionally you need a qualification that includes 200 hours of guided support, this is the minimum requirement held by most employers.
You should look for courses with teacher training that help you develop vital skills in:
- Class design and sequencing
- Knowledge of anatomy and alignment
- Communication and motivational skills
Flexibility and work options: Freelance yoga instructors can look for freelance roles on popular jobs boards. In these positions you can work in multiple different studios teaching classes at designated times.
With over 10,000–15,000 yoga teachers currently active in the UK and increasing demand from practitioners, yoga instruction offers flexibility and long-term career potential.
You can learn more about this role with our guide, ‘How to become a yoga instructor’.
#9 – Online Coach
Average Salary: €32,960
Online coaching is one of the most rewarding online freelance jobs. Online fitness coaches deliver tailored training and support through video calls, apps, and messaging, helping clients achieve their health and exercise goals remotely.
This model creates scalable income streams and allows coaches to reach clients beyond their local area.
Skills and qualifications: A Personal Trainer Diploma is required to coach professionally, with additional certifications in such as the Level 5 Nutrition Course can further your credibility and demand.
Flexibility and work options: Freelance opportunities often come from showcasing client results on Instagram or TikTok, running online challenges, and using coaching platforms like Trainerize or TrueCoach to secure clients.
#10 – Sports Massage Therapist
Average Salary: €27,000
Sports massage therapists help clients recover from injury, reduce muscle tension, and improve performance. The role involves hands-on treatments, posture assessments, and collaboration with fitness professionals.
Freelancers can boost income by building loyal client bases, offering mobile treatments, or combining additional services with personal training.
Skills and qualifications: To qualify, you need a Level 4 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy, which provides the knowledge required to perform safe massage techniques, which will aid in injury rehabilitation and performance enhancement.
Building expertise in these areas helps sports massage therapists deliver safe and effective treatments that attract long-term clients. For this reason, it may be beneficial to gain further training in areas such as Level 5 Lower Back Pain Therapy.
Flexibility and work options: Freelance therapists promote services through gyms, wellness centres, and platforms like Bark.
You could also apply for a Sports Massage Therapist position at a clinic or gym, which requires you to have a Level 4 Sports Massage Qualification . Further qualifications can also be beneficial, allowing you to increase the number of clients you treat.
For example, this job role posted on Indeed for The Bodywise Clinic specifies a relevant sports massage qualification as well as additional qualifications or knowledge:
With growing awareness of the importance of recovery and injury prevention, sports massage has become an increasingly valued service, offering a flexible and rewarding freelance career.
If you would like to learn more about this role, you can read our article on how to become a sports massage therapist.
#11 – Sports Nutritionist
Average Salary: €39,486
Sports nutritionists guide clients in making food choices that boost performance, aid recovery, and improve long-term well-being. Work settings include gyms, clinics, and privately in your own home.
Freelancers who combine nutrition with personal training qualifications can offer holistic services that attract higher-value contracts.
Skills and qualifications: Specialist training, such as the Level 5 Sports Nutrition Certification, provides you with the skills and knowledge to earn a healthy salary.
It will teach you important skills, including:
- Evidence-based dietary planning
- Knowledge of sports performance nutrition
- Client communication and motivation
Flexibility and work options: Registers such as on Association for Nutrition connect practitioners with clients in their local areas, making it easier for professionals to build their business and reach a wider audience.
If you would like to know more about these freelance occupations, you can read our guide on ‘How to Become A Nutritionist’.
Marketing & Business
#12 – Social Media Manager
Average Salary: €39,858
Social media managers build and oversee a brand’s presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The role involves creating content, managing communities, and tracking performance.
Freelancers specialising in paid ads or influencer campaigns often secure higher-value contracts and earn more financially.
Skills and qualifications: While formal qualifications are not essential, a degree or diploma in marketing can help. Success also relies on:
- Strong writing skills
- Content planning
- Knowledge of tools like Hootsuite and Meta Business Suite
Flexibility and work options: Freelance roles are commonly advertised on platforms such as Upwork and YunoJuno. The best part, you can do this from the comfort of your home, creating and scheduling content around your schedule.
#13 – Consultant
Average Salary: €44,870
Consultants provide expert advice to businesses or individuals in areas that focus on IT, marketing, finance, and operations.
They identify problems, develop strategies, and deliver solutions that drive measurable improvements.
Freelancers who build niche expertise or leverage senior-level experience often earn higher incomes through long-term contracts or advising large organisations.
Skills and qualifications: A relevant degree in business or economics, or a PRINCE2 certification, can boost your credibility and hiring prospects. You’ll also need strong industry analytical skills and communication skills.
Flexibility and work options: Freelance opportunities are available on platforms such as High5hire. With projects often coming from industries like finance, healthcare, technology, and marketing that rely on external expertise for growth.
#14 – Copywriter
Average Salary: €37,066
Copywriters craft persuasive text for websites, adverts, and marketing campaigns. Success requires creativity, clear communication, and the ability to adapt tone for different audiences.
Freelancers specialising in finance, law, or healthcare often secure higher-value projects and long-term clients.
Skills and qualifications: While qualifications are not always essential, a degree in English or marketing can improve your employment prospects. Additional courses in digital marketing can further enhance employability.
These will teach you the core skills in:
- Strong writing and editing
- Audience research and analysis
- Knowledge of SEO principles
Flexibility and work options: Freelance opportunities can be found on sites such as Upwork. When it comes to flexibility, a freelance career in copywriting can allow you to work any time and any place that suits your schedule.
Other Opportunities
#15 – Translator
Average Salary: €40,426
Translators convert written and spoken material from one language to another while maintaining accuracy, tone, and cultural relevance. They are in demand across legal and medical sectors.
Specialists in medical or legal translation often secure premium clients.
Skills and qualifications: Essential skills for translators include:
- Fluency in at least two languages
- Excellent writing ability
- Cultural awareness
Professional certifications offered by the Chartered Institute of Linguists help build credibility with future clients.
Flexibility and work options: Freelance translators find work on platforms like ProZ.com and TranslatorsCafé.
Many also secure long-term clients through networking and referrals. With demand rising in healthcare and legal sectors, working as a translator offers a highly flexible career with strong independence.
For bilingual professionals, translation remains one of the great freelance jobs that combines flexibility with consistent global demand.
#16 – Virtual Assistant
Average Salary: €32,055
Virtual assistants provide remote support to businesses, entrepreneurs, and executives. Typical tasks include managing emails, scheduling, bookkeeping, and managing social media.
Those specialising in bookkeeping, project management, or CRM systems often secure higher-value contracts and long-term clients.
Skills and qualifications: No formal qualifications are required, but strong organisational and digital skills are essential in the following areas:
- Time management and organisation
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- Familiarity with tools such as Trello or Asana
Flexibility and work options: Freelance roles are common on platforms such as PeoplePerHour.
By supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, and executives, you’ll not only boost their productivity but also establish yourself in one of the most in-demand freelance careers.
#17 – Health Specialist
Average Salary in Dublin: €38,000
Health specialists support clients in improving wellbeing through personalised advice in areas that focus on nutrition, weight management, or diabetes care.
Work can be clinic-based, online, or within private practice.
Those who create tailored programmes for obesity management or diabetes care often secure higher annual incomes.
Skills and qualifications: Qualifications in health sciences will help boost your employment prospects.
Specialist training in Level 5 Obesity Management and Diabetes Level 5 can also boost credibility and reputation, teaching you how to provide care in:
- Obesity management
- Diabetes care
- Preventive health programmes
Flexibility and work options: Freelance opportunities include private consultations, wellness partnerships, and online coaching. Platforms Bark and the register on Association for Nutrition connect practitioners with clients.
With growing demand for preventive health services and projected growth in health check-up markets globally, this role offers flexibility and rewarding work. It’s a chance to build a personal brand that can help transform lives.
How to Start Your Freelance Career
Starting a freelance career begins with gaining the right skills and certifications in your chosen field, whether you’re aiming for digital work, creative projects, or health-focused freelance occupations.
Whether you are exploring writing, design, or personal training, it is essential to build a strong foundation through accredited courses or dedicated self-study.
With the right preparation, you can begin building a career across a variety of rewarding freelance occupations that suit your skills and interests.
Once confident in your skills and experience, the next step is finding clients. Networking grows your profile and helps you stand out in a competitive market with great freelance jobs.
Here are some effective ways to get started:
- Connect with professionals on LinkedIn to grow your network
- Attend industry events to meet potential clients face-to-face
- Join professional groups and communities to increase visibility
- Utilise platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, to secure projects and gain valuable experience.
Building these networks and platforms into your routine can open doors to great freelance jobs that aren’t always advertised publicly.
Take the First Step Toward Your New Freelance Job Today
The best freelance jobs combine this freedom with strong earning potential, helping you shape a career that grows with your skills.
The first step is picking a career path with strong demand and building the right skills to stand out.
If you love fitness, explore the OriGym’s Level 4 Personal Trainer Course to take the first step toward your new freelance journey as a personal trainer.
You can also download our free course prospectus to discover the full range of our award-winning qualifications.
