How Much Can You Earn From Freelancing In India?

How much can you earn from freelancing in India?

In this blog post, we’ll explore some factors affecting how much you earn and help you better understand what you can expect as a freelancer in India.

Freelancer earning statistics‍

Recent studies conducted by Upwork have revealed that a staggering 60% of individuals who have transitioned from full-time employment to freelancing have experienced a significant increase in their earnings.

In 2020, research data indicated that the average hourly rate for freelancers in India is ₹487.22.

However, for those working in specialized fields such as web/mobile development, marketing, legal, accounting, and other skilled services, the average hourly wage increases to an impressive $28.

This means these skilled freelancers earn more than 70% of all workers in India.

How much do the most popular freelancing professions make?

In the freelancing world, a wide range of job types exist.

Typically, the complexity of a profession correlates with the potential earnings for freelancers within that domain.

As per a report by CNBC, and subsequent research findings, the following figures represent the average hourly rates and yearly salaries for the most sought-after freelancing gigs.

Writers: On average, a freelance writer has a rate between 2,452.50 – 3,270 INR/hr, with an annual salary of around 3,430,500 INR.
Editors: On average, freelance editors earn between 2,043.75 – 2,863.25 INR/hr, with a yearly salary of approximately 3,270,000 INR.
Programmers: Across multiple programming languages, the average freelance programmer makes 4,902.50 – 5,722.50 INR/hr, with an annual salary of around 9,810,000 INR.
General developers: A freelance developer looks to earn anywhere between 4,087.50 – 4,905 INR/hr with a yearly salary of approximately 8,175,000 INR.
Mobile developers: On average, mobile app developers make an hourly freelancer rate of 4,493.75 – 5,313.75 INR with an annual salary of 8,175,000 INR.
Web developers: Freelance web developers design and create websites at an hourly rate of 4,087.50 – 4,905 INR with a yearly income of approximately 7,357,500 INR.
Graphic designers: A freelance visual or graphic designer’s hourly rate is about 3,270 – 3,681.75 INR, with an annual salary of around 7,357,500 INR.
Transcribers: Freelance transcriptionists typically earn around 1,635 – 2,043.75 INR/hr, with a yearly salary of about 2,610,000 INR.
Bookkeepers: A freelance bookkeeper makes 2,452.50 – 2,863.25 INR/hr with an annual salary of around 3,270,000 INR.
Online marketers: Freelance digital marketers earn around 4,087.50 INR/hr, with a yearly salary of approximately 8,175,000 INR.
Photographers: A freelance photographer has an hourly rate between 2,857.50 – 3,681.75 INR/hr, with an annual salary of around 3,430,500 INR.
CRM managers: A customer relations manager (CRM) looks to earn 4,087.50 – 4,905 INR/hr, with an annual salary of around 9,810,000 INR.
Data analysts: A freelance data analyst averages 4,493.75 – 5,313.75 INR/hr, with a yearly salary of 8,175,000 INR.

Freelance payment schedules

It’s crucial to comprehend that freelancers enjoy an increased earning potential and flexible work arrangements, but this comes at the cost of an unpredictable payment schedule.

Freelancers receive compensation for the tasks they complete, and if they don’t work, there’s no paycheck at the end of the week.

Here are the three most popular payment schedules for freelancers:

Hourly Payment: Freelancers are paid based on the number of hours they work at a mutually agreed rate.
Project-based Payment: Freelancers receive a fixed amount to complete a project within a specific timeframe and scope.
Monthly Retainer: A freelancer receives a recurring payment based on an estimated amount of work for a project’s duration or a predetermined period.

Five freelance pricing factors to keep in mind in India

As a freelancer in India, your rates fluctuate based on various factors.

Here are five common variables that can affect the rates of freelancers:

Experience: Your experience in your field can be a significant determinant of your pay rate. Typically, the more years of experience you have in your service area, the higher your rate will be.
Skill set: Your particular skill set can also influence your pricing. You can charge higher rates if a project requires a strong underlying technical skill set, such as programming, mobile app development, or legal writing.
Education and training: Formal education and certified training can also positively impact your pay scale. While this depends on the profession, having proof of your education and training can give you more leverage in pricing negotiations.
Reviews and proven deliverables: Having positive reviews from past projects can help establish your credibility and allow you to set higher rates. Companies often use past project reviews to verify a freelancer’s performance.
Location: While you can work from anywhere worldwide, your client’s location can significantly impact your pay rate. For instance, clients located in India may not offer the same rates as those in the United States.