(Credit to MSNBC for this post.)
While some states look at freelancers as an oppressed class of workers, the truth is much more complex - and interesting. Nearly 60 million Americans freelanced in 2019, either full-time or part-time, representing more than a third of the American workforce, according to a separate study by Upwork and Freelancers Union. Skilled services were the most common type of freelance work, meaning that thousands of highly-skilled professionals are choosing freedom over security. And they're making a darn good living at it.
A study by MBO partners found that more than half of full-time independent workers say that they feel more financially secure in their current roles than in traditional jobs. That report found that there are more than 15 million full-time freelancers, with 20 percent earning more than $100,000 per year.
Here's a look at the highest-paying freelance jobs that should be in great demand in 2020, according to Upwork. The annual income is based on a 40-hour workweek, 50 weeks a year. (By the way, that's six figures with 12 weeks off a year.)
Job category: Corporate law Job category: Contract law Job category: Financial planner Job category: Management consulting Job category: ERP/CRM software Job category: Network & system administration Job category: Data visualization Job category: Machine learning Job category: Quantitative analysis Job category: Presentations Job category: Database administration Job category: Display advertising Job category: E-mail and marketing automation Job category: Marketing strategy Job category: SEM - Search engine marketing Job category: Desktop software development Job category: e-commerce development Job category: Mobile development Job category: Scripts & Utilities Job category: Physical design Job category: Mechanical engineering Job category: Product design Job category: Web and mobile design Job category: Web development Job category: Resumes & cover letters