Freelance side gigs are one of the best ways to earn some extra cash or stay creative if your day job isn’t stimulating you anymore. In fact, a 2018 poll found that 4 out of 10 Americans use websites like Upwork, Guru, and PeoplePerHour to find freelance opportunities.

Regardless of your reason, there’s no denying that freelance jobs are on the rise. And if you’re reading this post then you’re probably thinking about starting some freelance side gigs, but are unsure of how to get started.

However, it helps to know what types of freelance side gigs are the most common and what skills you might want to brush up on before you begin. Some freelance side gigs are obviously in greater market demand, which mean they also command higher pay than others.

In the following infographic by Fundera — a marketplace for small business financial solutions — they examined postings on freelancing websites to determine the best opportunities in terms of market demand, pay, and client ratings.

Key findings regarding freelance side gigs:

• Copywriting, design and web development are the top freelance side gigs for 2019. They offer lots of opportunities with above-average pay.
• There is a high client demand for administrative freelancers.
• Client demand for engineers/architects, accountants, and data science freelancers is average, but they all have high pay levels.
• The top 10 industries are ones the average business owner lacks expertise in, but can save money by hiring temps or freelancers rather than someone in-house.

Top 10 freelance side gigs and side hustles of 2019

1. Software and Web development: Over 20 percent earn more than $50 per hour.
2. Design and creative: 14 percent earn more than $60 per hour on Upwork.
3. Writing and translation: 6 percent earn more than $50 per hour.
4. Administrative support: 2 percent earn over $60 per hour.
5. IT and networking: They are the highest paid group on Upwork where 28 percent earn more than $60 per hour.
6. Customer service
7. Sales and marketing: Nearly 25 percent earn more than $60 per hour.
8. Accounting and finance: Highest-paid category, where 46 percent earn more than $50 per hour.
9. Engineering and architecture
10. Data science: 22 percent earn over $125,000 per year on Simply Hired.

Source: https://www.fundera.com/blog/best-freelance-gigs-and-side-hustles