2 Most Lucrative Freelance Skills in 2025 That Didn’t Exist 5 Years Ago
Written by
Adam Palasciano
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago shook the U.S. economy in a way not seen in years (or possibly ever). Millions of Americans lost their jobs and many pivoted by rethinking the way they work.
Upwork reported that 64 million Americans freelanced in 2023 alone, which added $1.27 trillion to the U.S. economy. Additionally, freelancers now comprise roughly 38% of the U.S. workforce as professionals of all ages seek flexible work models.
If you’ve joined in on the freelancer revolution, here are two new skills you should consider learning if you’re looking to earn more money in 2025 and beyond, according to Forbes and CNBC Make It.
AI Marketing Skills
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about artificial intelligence, otherwise known as AI. Learning how to leverage AI is one of the smartest things you can do to scale your income in 2025.
It’s reported that one of the most popular use cases for using generative AI (think tools like ChatGPT or DALL-E) in business is within the marketing and communications realm. Companies turn to freelancers to fill the gaps and becoming an expert in AI tools may make you more marketable in this field.
Scripting and Automation
Coding skills are in high demand these days. Those who develop coding skills can use scripting languages to create automation, which is all being fueled by the explosive growth in generative AI.
Kelly Monahan, managing director of the Upwork Research Institute, told CNBC Make It she believes by 2026, scripting and automation skills will be one of the top 10 most in-demand skills within coding and web development.
If you’re looking to get ahead of the curve, you can start learning how to code by taking online courses through platforms like Coursera and UDemy or at a university.
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