As the number of freelance positions approach 40% of the workforce, it seems like there’s no better time to get in on the new gig economy. Since the advent of the internet, millions of young and technologically-inclined individuals booted the nine-to-five system in favor of lucrative and flexible remote jobs. The number of remote workers increases rapidly every year, and so does the variety of available freelance positions. Contrary to popular belief, writers and graphic designers aren’t the only people who can earn a living from home. In this article, we’ll cover the top five upcoming and high-paying gig economy jobs and career paths that you can train for today.
Best Lucrative Freelance Tech Gigs
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Caption= Freelance technology jobs pay some of the highest salaries in the gig economy.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deep Learning
Artificial intelligence is a hot topic in Silicon Valley, and those on the forefront bring home an impressive paycheck. People working with deep learning design self-learning systems, which are paramount in the development of high-tech algorithms and artificial intelligence. These specialized programmers and engineers take home an impressive average of $115 per hour working freelance jobs.
- Blockchain Architecture
If you’ve paid any attention to technology news in the last couple of years, you’ve undoubtedly heard the term ‘blockchain’ used numerous times. To understand blockchain, you must understand how the internet worked in the beginning. Initially, the internet ran on a cloud-computing system where third-party data moved between servers using platforms like Google. Blockchain offers an entirely different system where users share information directly between each other instead of through separate server systems. As an increasing number of institutions adopt blockchain, demand for coders in this industry will continue to grow exponentially. Remote blockchain architects earn an average of $87 per hour for their skilled work.
- Ethical Hacking
Many people equate ‘hacking’ with doing something wrong or illegal online, but that’s certainly not always the case. Ethical hackers perform important—and completely legal—attacks on digital systems to expose security flaws that were otherwise overlooked. The role of ethical hackers is vital to increase system security, as they expose exactly how a dubious attack could occur. Programmers in this field breach everything from server security systems to automobiles, and their work results in a safer and more secure digital environment for everyone. Ethical hackers earn every cent of their impressive $67 average hourly wage.
- Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency is here to stay, and it’s a booming business by itself. The crypto world isn’t just coin trading and sketchy online sales—it’s a vast and legitimate industry that has an enormous opportunity for expansion. Bitcoin, among other blockchain currencies, is accepted at many local and online retailers, and continued adoption opens the door for high-paying development jobs. Freelance cryptocurrency developers build exchange platforms, trading systems, payment tools, and integration systems for apps and websites. Developers in this industry earn an average of $65 per hour.
- Virtual Reality (VR) Design
Virtual reality is arguably one of the coolest advancements in entertainment technology since the advent of the television. Freelance VR designers create programs that integrate audio and video to create a shockingly lifelike user experience. Game designers, app builders, and virtually any other programmer with a knack for entertainment can get in on this exciting industry trend. Virtual reality developers work to create a hyper-realistic and interactive experience, allowing the user to see and hear a game or video in the most lifelike way possible. These freelance positions pay out an average of $50 per hour.
How to Get In on the Action
Virtually anybody can get into the gig economy doing some sort of work. Many freelance jobs require little training or skill—but if you want to break into a lucrative technology job, you’ll need some training. Luckily, you don’t need to go the traditional education route to land a high-paying remote job in tech. The economy advanced and the education system followed with coding bootcamps. Instead of four years in college earning a computer science degree, you can learn the coding skills you need in three to eighteen months at a coding bootcamp. These intensive programs focus only on the skills you need to work in tech, and they can turn anyone into a competitive professional programmer faster than any other type of school. If the jobs listed here sound exciting, don’t hesitate to click the link below to learn how we can help you break in.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
