Ever wonder how much freelancers in different age groups charge? By gathering and analyzing freelancer profile data and images, we were able to pinpoint average hourly fees by generation.

If you’re a Gen X freelancer, pat yourself on the back! Your generation has been charging the most, with an average hourly rate of $75.64. Millennials’ fees weren’t too shabby, either. They were charging about 35% more per hour than Gen Z. Speaking of Gen Z, if you’re in this group, you might want to consider bumping up your rates. On average, Gen Zers have charged $52.90 per hour—the lowest of the bunch.

But don’t worry, Gen Z! If you’re into videography or Python, you might actually make a killing compared to the rest of your generation. These were Gen Z’s top-earning skills, bringing in an average of $99.29 and $71.76 per hour, respectively. 

Want to know which skills paid the most overall? These were the Top 5:

1. Videography ($108.71)
2. Google Analytics ($99.80)
3. Video production ($98.14)
4. Marketing strategy ($96.55)
5. Voice acting ($81.14)

On the flip side, these skills paid the least:

1. Data entry ($30.27)
2. 2D animation ($36.04)
3. Editing and proofreading ($36.90)
4. Flyer design ($39.12)
5. SEO keyword research ($39.82)

We saw some interesting patterns in the rates men and women charge for their freelance work. Let’s compare freelance rates across genders. 

Millennials led the charge toward gender pay equality—male freelancers in this generation charged only 0.9% more than their female counterparts. Meanwhile, women freelancers across generations were hustling harder than men. On average, they took on 175 jobs compared to men’s 153. 

Still, men freelancers were charging 9% more than women. But here’s the silver lining: that gap was far smaller than the 20% gender pay difference we saw in traditional full-time jobs. So, while there’s room for improvement, freelancing seems to be nudging us closer to pay equality.

Finally, we analyzed freelance rates across different cities and generations. Here’s what we discovered about the top-paying locations for gig workers.

Gen Zers were earning the most in Atlanta, Georgia, charging an impressive $92 per hour on average. Further north, New York City millennials topped the charts with a whopping $129.80 per hour. When we looked at all freelancers across the board, Philadelphia, PA, came out on top. The City of Brotherly Love has been showing some serious love to freelancers, who have earned an average hourly rate of $116.67.

While some pay gaps persist, the freelance market has been making strides toward pay equality, especially among millennials. Gen Z has carved out its niche in high-paying tech fields, while Atlanta, New York City, and Philadelphia have offered lucrative opportunities for freelancers to maximize their earnings.

As the gig economy evolves, these insights can help freelancers make informed decisions about their rates and specializations. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, your unique skills and dedication are your most valuable assets. The freelance world is full of opportunities—it’s up to you to seize them and chart your path to success.

We analyzed 1,211 freelancer profiles on Upwork to explore the age and gender pay gap among freelancers. We used GPT-4 from OpenAI to analyze profile headshots and estimate age and gender. In calculating the average hourly rates of skills by generation, only those skills that were listed by at least 10 freelancers were included. For the city-based analysis, only cities with 5 or more freelancers were considered.

SideHustles.com is all about turning your skills into cash. Whether you’re just starting or looking to boost your hustle, our site offers trusted advice from people who’ve made it work. We also rate gig economy apps with fair, unbiased rubrics so you can choose the best ones for your needs.

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