STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — No matter what field you work in — writing, design, programming, or consulting — freelancing can turn a nine-to-five career into a lucrative and flexible per-task job.
Work on a project-by-project basis, set your own hours and only take on work you find appealing: According to gig work platform Fiverr, it’s a workforce that has grown 2.4% in recent years as freelancer earnings spiked by 6%.
But in which cities are freelancers really thriving? In order to determine where freelance revenue was consistently highest, financial services company Ouro analyzed the latest economic impact study from Fiverr to compile this list of 10 cities where freelancers report the highest average annual earnings.
If you’re a freelancer living in any of these 10 metros, you are currently at the top of your game:
10. Philadelphia metro area
Average annual freelance revenue per worker: $50,536 Estimated freelance professional workforce: 124,708. Top freelance sector: Technical (#13 among ranked cities) Total metro population: 6.2 million
9. Boston metro area
Average annual freelance revenue per worker: $52,598 Estimated freelance professional workforce: 132,348 Top freelance sector: Technical (#7 among ranked cities) Total metro population: 4.9 million
8. Las Vegas metro area
Average annual freelance revenue per worker: $52,744 Estimated freelance professional workforce: 61,912 Top freelance sector: Creative (#4 among ranked cities) Total metro population: 2.3 million
7. New York metro area
Average annual freelance revenue per worker: $52,794 Estimated freelance professional workforce: 574,989 Top freelance sector: Creative (#5 among ranked cities) Total metro population: 19.5 million
6. Los Angeles metro area
Average annual freelance revenue per worker: $53,147 Estimated freelance professional workforce: 417,685 Top freelance sector: Creative (#2 among ranked cities) Total metro population: 12.8 million
5. Miami metro area
Average annual freelance revenue per worker: $53,851 Estimated freelance professional workforce: 291,321 Top freelance sector: Professional (#2 among ranked cities) Total metro population: 6.2 million
4. Nashville metro area
Average annual freelance revenue per worker: $54,559 Estimated freelance professional workforce: 69,301 Top freelance sector: Creative (#1 among ranked cities) Total metro population: 2.1 million
3. Washington DC metro area
Average annual freelance revenue per worker: $54,759 Estimated freelance professional workforce: 176,560. Top freelance sector: Technical (#5 among ranked cities) Total metro population: 6.3 million
2. San Francisco metro area
Average annual freelance revenue per worker: $59,979 Estimated freelance professional workforce: 156,085 Top freelance sector: Technical (#2 among ranked cities) Total metro population: 4.6 million
1. San Jose metro area
Average annual freelance revenue per worker: $60,135 Estimated freelance professional workforce: 48,268. Top freelance sector: Technical (#1 among ranked cities) Total metro population: 1.9 million
Source: These are 10 cities where freelancers earn the most, data shows
