If you’re thinking about becoming a remote freelance coder, one of the first questions you probably have is: How much money can I make? With coding skills in high demand and remote work more popular than ever, freelancing as a coder can be a great way to earn a living from anywhere.
In this in-depth article, we’ll explore how much remote freelance coders are making in 2025, break it down by cities and countries, look at real examples, and explain which types of coders are earning the most.
We’ll keep it simple and detailed so beginners can understand everything they need to know.
What Does a Remote Freelance Coder Do?
A remote freelancer coder who writes computer software, build websites or designs apps for client and does not have to be locked in a full time job or office.
The first group is full remote workers, also referred to as freelancers, who are able to work from home (or anywhere with Wi-Fi) and look for projects via Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal or their network.
A client may require a mobile application, a website repair, or bespoke software, freelancers usually charge by the hour on a per-project basis, or in some cases a monthly payment.
The best part about this job is the flexibility; you choose your hours and projects. However, your earnings will vary according to your location, expertise, and the coding you do. Let’s dive into the numbers.
How Much Are Remote Freelance Coders Making?
Earnings for remote freelance coders vary a lot based on experience, location, and specialization. Here’s a general look at what people are making in 2025, based on data from platforms like Upwork, Glassdoor, and YouTube creators.
Beginners: $500 to $2,000/Month
As a new coder/freelancer, you could earn from $500 to $2,000 per month You are probably doing small gigs, like fixing bugs, building simple websites, or helping out with simple scripts at this point.
Those just starting out are likely to charge $15-$30 per hour and only be able to do about 10-20 hours a week until they develop skills and a portfolio.
So a newbie in a country like India may charge $20/hour and work 20 hours a month, earning $400. In the US, that same beginner might make $25/hour and earn $500-$600 a month.
Also Read: How Much Do Cryptocurrency Traders Make?
Intermediate Coders: $2,000 to $10,000/Month
Mid-level coders with great skill (in things like JavaScript or Python) can take home 2,000 to 10,000 a month after 1–2 years. This allows them to take on larger projects like custom websites, small apps, or database work for $30—$70/hour and work 20—40 hours a week.
A moderately skilled coder could do a $3,000 project to create an e-commerce site in a month for $50/hour (40 hours) to pull $2,000 real quick.
Expert Coders: $10,000+/Month
Freelance coders at the top of their game (with 3+ years of experience or an unusual skillset) will earn $10k a month or more. They specialize in things such as AI tools, blockchain apps, or software for large enterprises and you can expect to see them bill $80–$200/hour or $5,000–$20,000 for a project.
These professionals sometimes bill full-time hours (30-40 hrs/wk), have a pipeline of clients and know how to market their services.
A YouTube codder, “Traversy Media,” showed how a pro freelaancer made $15K over the course of a month building a bespoke startup app ($100/hour for 150 hours).
Earnings by Cities and Countries
Even when working remote, the locale determines how much you charge and get paid. Most clients pay for your localisation, but some freelancers charge global rates. Now, browser on earnings in the top cities and countries in 2025.
United States
In the US, freelance coders earn some of the highest rates because of demand and high living costs.
- San Francisco: Beginners charge $30-$50/hour ($1,000-$2,000/month), intermediates $70-$120/hour ($5,000-$10,000/month), experts $150-$250/hour ($15,000-$25,000/month). Tech hubs like this pay more for skills like AI or full-stack development.
- New York: Similar to San Francisco, with beginners at $25-$45/hour ($800-$1,800/month), intermediates at $60-$100/hour ($4,000-$8,000/month), and experts at $120-$200/hour ($12,000-$20,000/month).
- Austin: A growing tech city—beginners earn $20-$40/hour ($600-$1,500/month), intermediates $50-$90/hour ($3,000-$7,000/month), experts $100-$180/hour ($10,000-$18,000/month).
United Kingdom
The UK has strong demand for coders, especially in London.
- London: Beginners charge $20-$40/hour ($600-$1,500/month), intermediates $50-$90/hour ($3,000-$7,000/month), experts $100-$150/hour ($10,000-$15,000/month).
- Manchester: Slightly lower—beginners at $15-$35/hour ($500-$1,200/month), intermediates $40-$80/hour ($2,500-$6,000/month), experts $90-$140/hour ($9,000-$14,000/month).
Canada
Canada offers good rates, especially in tech cities.
- Toronto: Beginners earn $20-$40/hour ($600-$1,500/month), intermediates $50-$100/hour ($3,000-$8,000/month), experts $120-$180/hour ($12,000-$18,000/month).
- Vancouver: Beginners $18-$35/hour ($500-$1,200/month), intermediates $45-$90/hour ($2,800-$7,000/month), experts $100-$160/hour ($10,000-$16,000/month).
India
In India, rates are lower due to cost of living, but remote coders can charge global rates to Western clients.
- Bangalore: Beginners charge $10-$20/hour ($300-$800/month), intermediates $25-$50/hour ($1,500-$4,000/month), experts $60-$100/hour ($6,000-$10,000/month).
- Mumbai: Beginners $8-$18/hour ($250-$700/month), intermediates $20-$45/hour ($1,200-$3,500/month), experts $50-$90/hour ($5,000-$9,000/month).
Philippines
The Philippines has a growing freelance scene with lower local rates but opportunities for higher global pay.
- Manila: Beginners $5-$15/hour ($150-$500/month), intermediates $20-$40/hour ($1,200-$3,000/month), experts $50-$80/hour ($5,000-$8,000/month).
- Cebu: Beginners $5-$12/hour ($150-$400/month), intermediates $15-$35/hour ($1,000-$2,500/month), experts $40-$70/hour ($4,000-$7,000/month).
Australia
Australia’s high living costs mean decent rates for coders.
- Sydney: Beginners $25-$45/hour ($800-$1,800/month), intermediates $60-$100/hour ($4,000-$8,000/month), experts $120-$200/hour ($12,000-$20,000/month).
- Melbourne: Beginners $20-$40/hour ($600-$1,500/month), intermediates $50-$90/hour ($3,000-$7,000/month), experts $100-$180/hour ($10,000-$18,000/month).
Which Coders Are Earning More?
Some coding skills pay more than others because they’re harder or in higher demand. Here’s where the big money is in 2025:
1. Full-Stack Developers
These are the coders who build the front-end (what users see) and back-end (the server stuff) of websites or apps. They apply JavaScript, React, and Node skills. js, and databases. Experts can charge $80-$150/hour as full-stack freelancers in the city, earning $8,000-$15,000/month in SF or London.
2. Mobile App Developers
As the businesses are leveraging mobile, coders developing iOS (Swift) or Android (Kotlin) apps are needed. $10k-$20k/month on big projects, Toronto or Sydney where experts get $100-$200/hour
3. AI/Machine Learning Coders
AI is such a buzz in 2025—for checkpost checkpost, for data science, or self-driving automobile technology (1st). Developers versed in Python, TensorFlow, or PyTorch rake in the big bucks. Hourly rates for all these experts reach $120-$250/hour (or $12,000-$25,000/month) in Austin or Bangalore.
4. Blockchain Developers
As crypto and Web3 expands in global usage, blockchain coders (Solidity, Ethereum) are rare and lucrative builders. So, in New York or Manila, an expert makes $100-$200/hour, or $10,000-$20,000/month.
5. WordPress Developers
WordPress developers create bespoke sites or plugins for less advanced work. They’re cheap but consistent money makers. In Mumbai or Cebu they charge $20–$50/hr, and cost $1,500–$4,000/month.
FAQ
- How Much Does It Cost to Start? Almost nothing—just a computer and internet. Platforms like Upwork are free to join (though they take 10-20% of earnings).
- How Long Until I Make Money? Some get jobs in weeks, but steady income takes 3-6 months of building skills and reviews.
- Do I Need a Degree? No—clients care about your work, not paper. Learn from free sites like Codecademy or YouTube.
- What’s the Biggest Mistake? Charging too little or not marketing yourself enough.
Tips for Beginners
- Learn Basics: Start with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (free online courses).
- Pick a Platform: Join Upwork or Fiverr and create a profile.
- Start Cheap: Charge $10-$20/hour to get your first clients.
- Build a Portfolio: Do small projects to show your skills.
- Network: Tell friends or post on LinkedIn about your services.
Conclusion
So, how much are remote freelance coders making?Depending on their location and their work, beginners earn $500-$2,000/month, intermediates $2,000-$10,000, and experts earn $10,000+.
More in cities like San Francisco, London or Sydney, less for AI, mobile or blockchain. If you continue learning new skills and harvesting clients, it is a flexible position with a lot of potential. Want to code your way into cash flow? Start Small and Let the Money Grow!