After the pandemic, remote work has become the new normal. Most of the roles offered remote work, and a few necessary roles are also adjusted to hybrid work. This rapid growth in remote work and flexibility led to a rise in freelancing. Previously, freelancing was constrained only to a few roles, and companies didn’t trust people working online. But with the emerging technologies, continuous layoffs, and the post-pandemic shift, companies across industries are hiring more freelancers than ever. And professionals are also choosing freelancing instead of full-time work for flexibility and to gain more control over what they work on. According to a recent survey from Open Knowledge Repository, freelancers account for 12% of the global workforce. 

Especially in a country like India, the technical talent pool is vast with skilled professionals. Full-time employees claim that the Indian workplace is usually toxic, and finding a supportive company is rare. So with the available talent pool and the toxic workplaces, the shift towards freelancing is inevitable. According to an Eco Survey by The Economic Times, the ratio of self-employed professionals in India has risen from 52.2 per cent in 2017-18 to 58.4 per cent in 2023-24. Now, the question that everyone has is: How much do freelancers actually earn in India in 2025?

The answer is quite simple. In India, freelance earnings are all about your niche, skills, experience, and the platforms that you choose to work on. According to Razorpay, 60% of the freelancers in India are under 30 years, and their average income is around INR 20 lakh per annum. The most exciting part is that 23% of those freelancers' annual income is more than INR 40 lakh per annum.

In today’s blog, we break down the freelancer earnings in India and the top platforms to find the high-paying freelance projects. Let’s begin!

Freelancer Salary in India — Realistic Earnings by Skill, Experience & Industry

The income of freelancers varies greatly and depends on multiple factors. In India, tech freelancing roles are one of the high-paying areas, whereas creative freelance roles require a lot of experience and skill to get the top outcome. 

For any niche of freelancing, location, skill, and experience play a huge role in earnings. But the basic pay for projects is based on the experience of the freelancer. Freelance earnings often fluctuate depending on the market and the industry, so the following are the average earnings based on multiple online surveys.
Note: The earnings below might vary from time to time, and it is important to verify the values from credible, updated surveys.

•  Beginner Freelancers (0–2 years): ₹15,000 – ₹45,000 per month

•  Intermediate Freelancers (2–5 years): ₹50,000 – ₹1,20,000 per month

•  Expert Freelancers (5+ years):  ₹1,50,000 – ₹5,00,000+ per month

Professionals working across nations get paid in dollars, and their average earnings are higher due to the currency conversions. So, Indian freelancers often tend to pick foreign projects and clients for high earnings. 

Top Platforms & Freelancer Earning Websites to Get High-Paying Projects in 2025

Freelancing is all about networking and finding the right clients. Clients stay connected with the freelancers for upcoming projects if they provide quality and timely outcomes. For beginners, networking takes time, and you need to be visible on trustworthy online platforms to connect with verified potential clients. The following are some of the top platforms that have portfolio worth projects and good earnings:

1. BeGig (Best for Tech Freelancers)

If you are into tech freelancing, then BeGig is the go-to platform to find verified high-paying clients.

• Only top freelancers are accepted
  
  
• Real-world tech projects
  
  
• Faster work starts within 72 hours
  
  
• High-trust ecosystem
  
  

2. Upwork

Upwork is a global platform that provides opportunities in writing, designing, marketing, and all the other creative fields. 

• Strong profile = consistent projects
  
  
• Hourly & fixed-price contracts
  
  

3. Fiverr

Excellent for novice and intermediate freelancers.

• Make service-oriented "gigs"
  
  
• Quick project turnovers
  
  

4. Freelancer.com

Ideal for independent contractors looking for both domestic and foreign clients.

• Perfect for quick projects
  
  
• An enormous range of projects
  
  

5. Toptal

Toptal is a good platform for elite premium professionals. 

• High-paying projects
  
  
• Strict screening procedure

Start Your Freelancing Journey with Confidence — Earn More with the Right Platform

The emergence of freelancing as a legitimate source of income has created a growing opportunity for individuals to make money from their own businesses or contracting services, rather than relying on traditional employment. As a result, the income you can earn as a freelancer increases over time, regardless of your experience level if you focus on developing your skills and creating a strong portfolio, as well as selecting the correct freelance marketplace based on your skill set.

BeGig is one of the best places to find freelance work if you are a tech professional. At BeGig, you start your journey by connecting with established, reputable clients with the ability to pay you fairly, even on high-demand, high-impact projects.