- Kevin Meng
- No Comments
- Published: March 16, 2021
- Modified: March 16, 2021
“MoolahNinjas main goal is to help our readers improve their financial lives. We partner with other companies that share that same vision. Some of these links in this post may be from our partners. This is how we make money.”
Like many other industries, the technology sector has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But amid massive lay-offs and company shutdowns, TechRepublic notes that 68% of the top tech employers have created more job postings since September 2020. This shows that this industry is relatively crisis-proof and remains lucrative despite the circumstances.
If you’re someone who wants to enter the industry or get a job with more autonomy over time, our previous article on ‘How To Earn Extra Money’ suggests that freelancing is a great way to earn money while working at your own pace. What’s more is that tech freelance jobs pay quite well, and the skills needed can often be learned through online courses and programs.
That being said, here are 5 freelance tech jobs you can aim for and what you need to know:
Software Developer
he rise of remote work means an increase in our reliance on software — whether it’s teleconferencing platforms or project management programs. We have software developers to thank for these tools, as they are tasked with creating and maintaining these systems.
If you plan on applying for this job, the main skill you will need is a good knowledge of multiple programming languages, as you’ll use them to code and build the programs.
For instance, Rust and Dart are modern programming languages you can check out. However, it’s still best to prioritize knowing established languages such as Java, which has been popular with large companies for decades.
On the other hand, Python is a language that’s more beginner-friendly but also has many job opportunities — being the language that YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest are built with.
The average salary of a software developer can reach $100,000, with an hourly wage of $50.
Mobile App Developer
The mobile app development industry is huge and it continues to grow rapidly with Socialnomics reporting that consumers are showing a growing preference for mobile apps. A developer in this industry should be knowledgeable about the different platforms for smartphones and tablets, and even various operating systems on computers. They implement the source code and design prototype apps as well.
Software development companies look for cross-platform developers who can create Android and iOS apps. Mobile developers will also need knowledge of programming languages, such as PHP and HTML, among others.
Knowledge of JavaScript is ideal for cross-platform app development, as it is utilized by mobile apps that are optimized for web browsers. Meanwhile, Swift works with iOS platforms and makes projects easy to scale.
Similar to software developers, the average yearly salary of a software developer is $100,000, with an hourly rate of $50.
Electronics Engineer
Because consumer electronics innovate every day, there will always be a thriving market for such smartphones and laptops. With tasks that range from creating engineering sketches, designing the electronic components, and inspecting the finished product, these engineers will continue to be needed across different industries.
To succeed in this role, you need proficiency in tools such as 3D modeling software SketchUp. You will also need to be proficient in electric design software that can cover multiple functions. Electronic CAD platform Altium 365 enables engineers to create accurate designs in order to unite PCB design, MCAD, data management, and teamwork.
By being familiar with these platforms, electronics engineers can be precise in their assembly of hardware. Otherwise, their projects wouldn’t pass specifications, safety standards, and other codes and regulations.
Electronics engineers with experience can earn somewhere between $60 and $100 an hour, and can have an average yearly salary of $87,000.
Cloud Architect
Companies used to store data and software on their own hard drives and servers, which was very taxing for the IT department. But nowadays, cloud computing is a cheaper and more convenient way to store data. Especially now in the midst of remote working when companies rely on cloud usage, there is indeed a demand for cloud architects.
As their name suggests, cloud architects manage a company’s cloud infrastructure. This includes all components that use cloud computing, such as storage, servers, and networking.
Of course, cloud architects will need knowledge in cloud services (such as Amazon Web Services) and experience in automation, vendor management, I&O and ITSM. All these skills will equip cloud architects with the expertise to maximize the appropriate cloud provider/s, hardware, software, apps, and third-party services for the company.
Cloud architecture is a relatively new job profile, but the average yearly income for freelancers goes as high as $124,000, with an hourly rate of $60.
Cybersecurity Professional
Technology has become a part of our everyday lives. We depend on it for work, studies, entertainment, and more. This makes cybersecurity professionals all the more important.
They find weak points in databases, networks, hardware, and firewalls and fix these potential problems before they are exploited. They also do the required fixes and remedies after a cyber-attack or security breach happens.
These professionals should know firewalls and network load balancers, in addition to general programming, software development concepts, and knowledge software analytics. With such heavy responsibilities, the International Information System Security Certification Consortium says that certifications, like the CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) and OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Personnel), are often taken into account by employers.
A cybersecurity professional can earn as much as $101,324 a year, and $49 an hour.
The tech field is extensive, and there will be opportunities even for beginners. If you’re not sure how to start as a freelancer, our post entitled ‘Freelance Jobs: The Definitive Guide’ can help point you in the right direction.
