How much does it cost to hire a freelance programmer? There’s no clear answer to this question because there’s a big range depending on your project, their experience level, and the way you are hiring them. I just lay out the general parameters so you can decide how much you want to spend.
A freelance software developer is exactly what the name implies. A software developer who works freelance rather than as an employee. They will often be brought on board to fulfill a skill requirement, help with an upcoming project, or provide some other expertise and will usually be paid per hour, per day, or per project.
Like any developer, freelance software developers will have a particular area of expertise, be that Python, Java, Ruby, LISP, C, Perl, Mathematica, Ruby on Rails, or something else. More freelancers will also have knowledge of project management principles such as Agile or PRINCE2 even if they don’t have a qualification in it.
Upwork and freelancer sites like it have opened up the world of freelancing and made it more mainstream. Freelancers can showcase their wares and bid on open projects and businesses can quickly hire freelancers for projects. Both have a platform with which to communicate, a clear fee scale, and the oversight of Upwork to take care of them.
In practice, using Upwork can be a soul-destroying experience. As someone who has used it as a freelancer and as an employer, I dislike freelancing websites like these. As a freelancer, the jobs on these sites are usually low quality and offered by inexperienced employers who think you can create an entire eCommerce store in 48 hours for less than $100. The majority of employers do not value you, your input or your experience. They want the job done, done fast and done cheaply.
