Can we all agree that working for yourself is a subtle flex? I know it comes with its challenges, but not having to rely on anyone else for employment is pretty vital in today’s world. Given the state of the job market and the economy, more people are looking for ways to claim the stability and autonomy they desire in their work lives, at least in some capacity. Whether they are feverishly looking for full-time work after a layoff or need to make an additional income on the side to offset the rising costs of, well, everything, thousands of professionals are turning to freelancing as a flexible, remote option that offers serious earning potential.
While freelancing is nothing new, it’s rapidly growing in popularity. In fact, Forbes estimated last year that freelancers will make up more than half of the labor market by 2027. With that said, there is no better time than now to start doing freelance work, especially because you don’t need anything except Wi-Fi and the skills you already have.
If you’re in the middle of a job search or you’re looking for a side hustle, freelancing could be the answer. Ahead, everything you need to know about freelancing in 2026—including why you should consider it and who is best suited for it.
First, what is freelancing?
At its most basic level, freelancing is a form of self-employment where professionals offer their skills or services on a contract or project basis. Most often, they work with various clients to make up a part-time or full-time gig; however, they can also work with just one client. According to Upwork, the freelance salary range spans from $50,500 to $275,000 per year, landing at an average of $99,230. With that said, it absolutely can be a full-time job if you want it to be, but it doesn’t have to be. Many professionals freelance on the side to make extra money each month.
Why is freelancing so popular right now?
If you feel like everyone has warned about “mass layoffs” for years, it’s because they have. Unfortunately, we’re not seeing many signs of them slowing down. Between companies cutting costs via The Great Flattening and AI taking over a large portion of job responsibilities, it feels as though no job is safe, except for the ones you create yourself. Beyond that, RTO mandates and hybrid creep stripped any semblance of autonomy workers had. That didn’t go over very well, leading to shift sulking, task-masking, and eventually, quiet cracking or straight-up quitting. Needless to say, professionals looking for stability and freedom are turning to freelancing because it’s one of the only ways they can control their income and lifestyle.
Just like any job, freelancing has its downfalls. Income can be inconsistent, and it doesn’t come with benefits, but unemployed individuals or those interested in quitting are facing those issues anyway. For them, deciding to take on freelance work is a no-brainer.
“Reports estimate that freelancers will make up more than half of the labor market by 2027.”
Despite the very real issues of the job market right now, prices are skyrocketing—and, I hate to break it to you, that’s not showing signs of stopping either. Offering your existing skills on the side is a pretty promising way to make extra money. Plus, professionals are able to do it on their terms without the need for additional training or a lengthy interview process. Sure, it takes additional planning, like getting your benefits in order and dealing with self-employment taxes, but the rewards outweigh the risks for many people.
Why you should consider freelancing
Freelancing offers the kind of flexibility and opportunity that just can’t be replicated when you work for someone else. Having control over your income (even though it can come with some inconsistencies) and the freedom to work anywhere at any time are obviously huge perks. But now, skilled professionals have even more of a reason to start freelancing: Businesses are hiring more contract workers than ever before. The increase in demand for freelancers is making it so that it’s almost easier to land a job as a freelancer than it is as an employee.
If you’ve been on the job interview hamster wheel for what feels like forever, switching lanes and focusing on getting some freelance clients instead could be worth it. Or, if you feel like you’re treading water trying to make ends meet, but you don’t necessarily want to commit to a part-time job, freelancing for a few hours a week can seriously help supplement your income.
The most in-demand freelance skills
Anyone with any skill set can decide to offer their skills as a freelancer. You don’t need to do any additional training or education. However, if you want to upskill or make yourself more competitive, there are skill sets in higher demand than others, according to a report from Simplilearn. Web development and tech skills like cybersecurity and prompt engineering are among the top freelance skills in 2026. They are joined by creative and multimedia skills, such as graphic design or video and editing production. And skills that require a human eye, like project management and business consulting, are also in demand this year.
“Professionals looking for stability and freedom are turning to freelancing because it’s one of the only ways they can control their income and lifestyle.”
Remember: What is popular this year is a direct result of what is happening in the market right now. You can expect these skills to change as the months and years progress. But that’s the beauty of freelancing—you never have to worry about your job going extinct. You always have the opportunity to pivot based on the market or your interests and availability.
How to start freelancing
If you’ve never worked for yourself before, getting started could be a little intimidating. But fear not, it doesn’t have to be complicated. The best part about freelancing being so common is that there are reliable websites where you can offer your services. I recommend getting started on Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal. These sites basically do the heaviest lifting for you: connecting you to the clients who need your skills. All you have to do is sign up. Then, you can start taking on jobs big or small, depending on your needs.
Beyond that, you can reach out to people in your network. Posting your services on LinkedIn or asking around for who needs help with projects is a great start. This requires more upfront work on your end, of course. But it could connect you with people who are already familiar with your work. This could ultimately help you land their business.
Considering most employment processes these days are lengthy, and it seems like everyone is getting ghosted mid-interview process, being able to hop right into freelancing is the breath of fresh air we could all use. Not to mention, it offers the remote work opportunity that everyone seems to be looking for.
Looking for more ways to supplement (or replace) your existing income? Try these:
- 10 Hobbies You Can Realistically Turn Into an Income
- 15 Profitable Side-Hustles You Can Easily Start in 2026
- Meet New-Collar Jobs: The High-Paying Remote Roles You Can Pivot to Without Starting Over
Hailey Tagliarino, Assistant Managing Editor
As Assistant Managing Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Tagliarino oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.
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