2025 Freelancer Rates Report Reveals AI Skills Drive Shift in Contingent Workforce Market as Average Day Rates Rise
Last week, we were delighted to announce the release of our much-anticipated annual Freelancer Rates Report for 2025, revealing key insights into the evolving freelance market. Our report, based on a comprehensive data set of 261,000+ freelance contracts spanning across various disciplines and experience levels reflected a 3% year-on-year increase in average day rates, reaching £390 per day, while the hourly rate sat on average at £49 per hour.
Showcasing a new skills analysis component for 2025, our report identifies the top 10 most frequently booked skills across 15 core disciplines, positioned alongside the top 3 skills with the most significant positive impact on day rates.
Our analysis revealed standout high-paid skills such as UX design, Machine learning and Art direction among the creative and technology disciplines, demonstrating how skill specialisations can substantially enhance a freelancer's market value.
Other key findings include:
- Strategy professionals commanded the highest rates at £520 per day, followed by Market Research (£491) and Data (£469).
- The top 10% of freelancers across industries earn approximately £708 per day (£89 per hour), marking a 9% increase from the previous year.
- Average contract length decreased slightly from last year to 23 working days.
- Data boasted the longest average contract length, with freelancers being booked for just under 11 weeks (54 working days).
AI Skills Driving Shift in Demand for Flexible Talent
Additional commentary from YunoJuno CEO, Runar Reistrup, highlights a paradoxical labour market situation where companies face simultaneous hiring freezes and critical skills shortages, with further pressure being added from technology’s pace of change, particularly around accelerating AI advancements.
This has led to an increased reliance on freelance talent as a strategic resource for maintaining business adaptability, agility and competitive advantage.
| Aspect | Employee | Independent Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Control and supervision | Direct control over how, when, and where to work | Freedom to set their own schedules and methods |
| Payment | Regular wages; taxes withheld by employer | Paid per project; responsible for their own taxes |
| Benefits | Health insurance, retirment plans, paid leave | Must arrange their own benefits |
| Termination | Often requires notice and may include severance | Can usually be terminated at any time without benefits |
| Tools and equipment | Provided by the employer | Typically use their own tools |
Market resilience despite economic pressures
The report also notes that freelancer availability reached an all-time high in the previous year before showing gradual recovery in Q4, indicating market resilience despite economic pressures.
Day rates have stabilised despite an inflationary environment, reflecting the adaptive nature of the current market and supporting YunoJuno’s belief that freelancers are not only “masters of change” but one of the most resilient parts of the global workforce.
YunoJuno recognises the immense contribution contractors and freelancers make to companies and projects worldwide and remains committed to supporting the freelance community by providing transparent and up-to-date information on market trends.
Explore the report insights today
The 2025 Freelancer Rates Report is available to view or download from the YunoJuno website and is free for those interested in gaining deeper insights into the contingent workforce market.
You can also bookmark our digital version as a handy online rates tool that you can come back to whenever you need.
Explore the report today!
.png)
