Study Finds These Freelance Skills Are the Fastest Growing, Falling, in 2024

Freelancer.com just announced the release of its quarterly Fast 50 Index for Q2 2024, showcasing robust growth in freelance jobs despite the advent of AI. The index, derived from an analysis of 251,000 jobs posted on the platform, highlighted significant trends in skills and employment patterns among global freelancers.

Fastest Growing Skills for Q2 2024

Computer Security (up 27.1% from 868 to 1,103 jobs) emerged as the fastest-growing freelance skill on Freelancer.com, based on job postings across more than 2,000 skill categories from April 1 to June 30, 2024. 

Other growing skill categories included PDF Writing, Microsoft Word Jobs, Market Research and Telemarketing.

Below is a look at the top 10 and their respective growth by the numbers:

1. Computer Security: Up 27.1% 
2. PDF Writing: Up 26.7% 
3. Microsoft Word Jobs: Up 23.9% 
4. Market Research: Up 21.1% 
5. Telemarketing: Up 19.4%
6. Civil Engineering: Up 16.7%
7. Sales: Up 15.5%
8. Local Jobs: 15.3%
9. Business Analysis: Up 14.4%
10. Statistical Analysis: Up 12.8%

Fastest Growing Overall Jobs

The most popular online freelancing job by total volume is currently Graphic Design with almost double the amount of projects than the other top skills. Graphic Design is followed by PHP (programming), Photoshop, Website Design and HTML (programming). These are typically the best skills for any new freelancer to focus on initially when starting their freelancing journey.

A look at the fastest-growing overall jobs by the numbers, according to the study:

1. Graphic Design: 117,008 jobs
2. PHP: 72,457 jobs
3. Photoshop: 69,547 jobs
4. Website Design: 65,412 jobs
5. HTML: 60,202 jobs

Fastest Falling Skills for Q2 2024

However, some categories experienced a decline. However, it is still important to note despite the decline in numbers, that many of these jobs still have an overall strong number of related job posts when compared to even some of the fastest growth categories. 

1. Shopify Templates: Down 13% 
2. CSS: Down 11.8% 
3. WooCommerce: Down 
4. Shopify: Down 

The study indicated that these declines could be due to seasonal fluctuations and evolving business needs.

Freelancer.com AI Impact Survey

The study also examined the effects of AI on income among over 4,100 global workers. Initial findings indicate significant insights into earnings: over half of respondents (52.5%) report earning the same or more since the introduction of AI tools. Specifically, 19.2% mention substantial income increases, while 17.7% acknowledge a decrease in earnings.

“AI is creating more jobs than it takes,” said Matt Barrie, Chief Executive at Freelancer.com. The preliminary results from our AI survey also dispel the myth that freelancers are earning less since the introduction of generative AI as more than three-quarters of workers we surveyed are either earning the same or earning more, with a subset taking advantage of AI and earning a lot more .” 

What do you think of the study? Let us know in the comments below.