Becoming a freelancer is a privilege to have a flexible job and benefits, especially a job that suits your passion and skills, like graphic design. Good news for you! You can pursue your passion while working on the best freelance platforms for graphic designers to enhance your rate.
Among those freelance platforms, you can earn money and gain experience in one way to go. How much and how to enjoy the perks from the freelance designer platforms? Discover the facts in this article!
Key takeaways:
According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly freelance salary in the U.S. is $48, with the highest rate being $132. The average salary could be different in the graphic design niche depending on the freelance platform you choose. Below is a list of the most credible freelance platforms for designers to earn more money.
Upwork is considered to be the highest-paid freelance platform for graphic designers, which allows you to earn $68K up to $127K per year. You can draw at least $50 per hour with a 10% service fee on freelance earnings. However, the value rate can be different based on the bid rate in the competition.
The tight competition on Upwork becomes the main influence on your rate card. It can either improve your rate or leave you behind the competition. To win the competition among designers on Upwork, ensure the market demand and continuously improve your skills.
Also Read: Top 10 Easiest Passive Income Ideas for Graphic Designers
Toptal’s specialty is to hire professional and top-tier graphic designers through strict screening. Thus, with your expertise and high qualifications in graphic design, Toptal provides higher earnings than other platforms. How much is Toptal’s average earnings? It reaches $200 per hour and $66K up to $124K per year.
As one of the best freelance platforms for graphic designers with higher salaries, Toptal authorizes designers to improve skills based on multiple niches.
Dribbble is a platform where graphic designers can find freelance opportunities with an average rate of $70 per hour. The good news? You get to keep all your earnings, as Dribbble doesn’t charge any platform fees.
Keep in mind that freelance rates can differ based on your location, industry, and experience level, so it’s important to set a rate that truly reflects your worth. Through Dribbble, you can access a wider range of job opportunities and connect with a creative community that helps you build and showcase your portfolio.
Next up, one of the best freelance platforms for graphic designers with high exposure is Behance. The high exposure allows you to keep the global access to the creative community in your hands. Once you make it into the community, your payment rates will probably be higher than the submission on the other platform.
The freelance fee on Behance depends on the total project amount and is processed through Stripe. A platform fee of up to 20% may be deducted from the total project fee before payment, unless you are a Behance Pro subscriber or have an active Creative Cloud membership, in which case the fee is waived.
Stripe then applies a standard processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. After these deductions, you’ll receive the final earnings based on the remaining amount.
Also Read: 8 Elements of Graphic Design for Impactful Visual Projects
Your ambition could be ignited when you become a freelancer on 99Designs. Your earnings are influenced by how often you win contests within the 99designs community. In Gold and Platinum contests, all finalists receive 15% of the total prize. If you win, you receive both your share of that 15% and the remaining prize amount.
Additionally, you can enjoy benefits after a competition through the designer level system, which affects your earning potential. 99designs categorizes designers into Entry Level, Mid Level, and Top Level, each offering different advantages.
| Level | Access to Contest | Designer Platform Fee |
| Entry Level. | 15 per month. | 15%. |
| Mid Level. | Unlimited. | 10%. |
| Top Level. | Unlimited. | 5%. |
Fiverr also requires an earning system based on the seller’s level. The higher level you gain means you get a possibility to earn more after orders are made. There are several levels available for freelancers on Fiverr.
A hack for you to reach the higher level on Fiverr is by joining Fiverr Pro Seller. It could lead you to reach a broader market and earn more. You are capable of making more than 100 orders and earning $24K per year. However, Fiverr could take 20% of your earnings and 1% for early payout.
As one of the best freelance platforms for graphic designers, PeoplePerHour has a unique way to get you a project. As a graphic design freelancer, you have to submit a proposal to buyers monthly by using 15 free credits or purchasing additional credits.
As a freelancer on PeoplePerHour, you can earn a minimum of $8 per hour or $10 per project. It’s better for you to deliver the proposal multiple times to earn more money and cover the charge fees, which cost up to 20%.
Also Read: 7 Best Free Graphic Design Tools to Start Your Design Journey!
DesignCrowd is a crowdsourcing platform that links freelance designers with businesses in need of custom design services. Clients post project briefs, and designers submit their creative work to compete for payment. This contest-style system gives designers the chance to earn money from winning submissions.
DesignCrowd offers two main types of payments: Place Payments, which are awarded to the winning designers, and Participation Payments, which typically range from $10 to $20 for non-winning entries that meet quality standards. Freelancers can potentially earn up to $1,600 per project, depending on the budget, but the platform deducts a 15% commission from all designer earnings.
If you apply for a job on Freelancer, you have the flexibility to earn through both hourly and project-based payments. The platform allows freelancers to bid on a wide range of projects that suit their skills and preferences. Additionally, Freelancer regularly hosts design contests, your chance to compete and showcase your work.
Freelancer also applies service fees that range from 10% to 20%, depending on the project type and membership plan. Winning a contest or landing a high-quality project can significantly boost your income.
We Work Remotely is a popular job board that focuses on remote opportunities across various fields, including design. Unlike bidding platforms, it connects freelancers directly with companies offering remote positions.
We Work Remotely is the best platform for freelance designers since you can earn a full salary. How does it work? We Work Remotely does not require application fees that could reduce your earnings.
Also Read: What’s Hot in Design? 10 New Trends in Graphic Design 2025
Being a freelance designer is worth it since you can earn passive income both hourly and project-based. However, be aware of the strict competition among freelancers on the best freelance platforms for graphic designers. You have to showcase your best design projects to attract a broader market.
For instance, you can create a recognizable web design with Iconic Fonts for Graphic Design for a design contest to engage clients. Zarma Type is the most credible place that provides creative fonts for graphic design and is affordable. The $1 deals is available with a Desktop License that allows you to use the font for 5 commercial projects. Hence, you can maximize your earnings to be a freelance designer with affordable fonts from Zarma Type.
