The 10 cities where freelancers earn the most
Yaroslav Astakhov // Shutterstock
The 10 cities where freelancers earn the most
Stylish woman working on a laptop while sitting in cozy cafe.
Freelancing turns a nine-to-five into a set-your-own-hours situation that allows workers to be their own bosses—a working proposition that’s only grown more appealing, and lucrative, for Americans in the last year.
According to gig work platform Fiverr’s latest economic study of the top 30 markets for freelancers, the workforce grew 2.4% in 2023 compared to the year before, and their earnings rose by 6%.
Those burgeoning job markets, now including more than 4 million freelancers, have been good to workers by Fiverr estimates. In 2023, around 2 in 5 (43%) freelance professionals said they were able to increase their revenue, according to the report.
Younger, Gen Z freelancers saw the most earnings growth across all generations, with almost 2 in 3 (65%) reporting an increase in revenue. That may be due to being early in their careers with more room to increase their rates. However, other studies suggest Gen Z workers, born between 1997 and 2012, are particularly attracted to the gig work arrangement. A survey from gig work platform Upwork earlier this year found that half of Gen Z workers dedicate full-time work hours to freelance projects.
Ouro analyzed the latest economic impact study from Fiverr to compile this list of 10 cities where freelancers report the highest average annual earnings. The data is estimates based on 2013-2020 nonemployer establishment statistics from the Census. The analysis uses gross domestic product and labor market growth to estimate the freelance professional market for 2023. It includes all establishments without employees that reported at least $1,000 in earnings. This includes independent professionals who work full- and part-time.
In all fields Fiverr studied, the revenue earned by the freelance workforce was consistently highest in 2023 in some of the country’s biggest metros, including Los Angeles and New York. Freelancers in the creative fields, however, also saw high earnings in Nashville, Tennessee, and Miami for cities their size. In technical fields, freelancers in the Miami and Washington D.C. areas had some of the highest earnings. In professional fields, Miami and Washington D.C., as well as Houston and Dallas ranked high for earnings.
While Sunbelt metro areas don’t feature the highest earning trends for these workers, earnings growth has been growing the fastest there over the past five years, according to the study. Those areas include Jacksonville, Florida; Miami; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix; and Tampa, Florida.
PTS Aerial Services // Shutterstock
#10. Philadelphia metro area
Aerial shots of Philadelphia Schulkill River and Boathouse Row
– 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
Filma.Ca // Shutterstock
#9. Boston metro area
Cobblestone street lined with historic brick buildings. The street is sloping upward
– 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
Wirestock Creators // Shutterstock
#8. Las Vegas metro area
An aerial view of a sprawling suburban landscape in a sunny climate. The image features a vast expanse of residential homes with a variety of styles, including single-family houses and townhomes.
– 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
eFlexion // Shutterstock
#7. New York metro area
A view of a suspension bridge and a cityskyline at sunset.
– 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
Marcus E Jones // Shutterstock
#6. Los Angeles metro area
A basketball court with people playing. The court is surrounded by buildings and palm trees. The sky is blue and sunny. There are a few people watching the game.
– 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
xbrchx // Shutterstock
#5. Miami metro area
A coastal city with a stunning skyline. The photo features a bustling marina filled with yachts and boats, with a bridge spanning the waterway. In the background, towering skyscrapers
– 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
Jaclyne Ortiz // Shutterstock
#4. Nashville metro area
A cityscape featuring modern skyscrapers with a prominent tall, glass building that stands out due to its spire-like top. Surrounding the tall building are a mix of older, brick buildings and other contemporary structures with reflective glass facades.
– 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
Tony Quinn // Shutterstock
#3. Washington DC metro area
A large building with the white dome in center. The street in the foreground is busy with traffic, featuring multiple lanes filled with cars, and traffic lights are visible in the middle of the road. On either side, trees line the street.
– 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
seand67 // Shutterstock
#2. San Francisco metro area
A cityscape based on the steep street and view of bridge in the background. The image is taken from an elevated position, looking down a sloping street lined with buildings. The buildings on both sides of the street are a mix of older and modern architectural styles, with many featuring bay windows.
– 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
Gilberto Mesquita // Shutterstock
#1. San Jose metro area
A street lined with palm trees on both sides and elegant buildings featuring clean, modern architecture with large windows and outdoor dining spaces.
– 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
Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.
This story originally appeared on Netspend and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
