Hourly rates have risen: Freelancers average 104 euros

The upward trend in hourly rates for freelancers has also continued in 2025, according to the latest Freelancerkompass from the Freelancermap placement portal. According to the survey, freelancers could earn an average of 104 euros per hour. In 2024, the average rate was still at 102 euros, in 2023 at 100 euros. Freelancers would earn an average of 8,022 euros gross per month. Around two thirds are satisfied with their income.

Around 41% also wanted to increase their hourly rates in the next twelve months. The main reasons for this were inflation (59%), more professional experience (51%) and alignment with standard market hourly rates (47%). In contrast, 52 percent do not want to change their hourly rate and seven percent want to reduce it. According to Freelancermap, 3210 freelancers were surveyed, around half of whom were IT freelancers (48%).

The best hourly rates by specialist area are in the field of consulting and management with an average of 120 euros, followed by the SAP environment with 117 euros and IT infrastructure with 102 euros. The best-paying sectors are banking and finance (112 euros per hour), aerospace (111 euros), insurance (110 euros) and companies in the healthcare, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors (108 euros).

Concerns about retirement provision and order situation

According to the Freelancer Compass, however, concerns about retirement provision have also increased. The proportion of those who are worried about their finances in retirement has climbed from 39% in the previous year to 49%. The corresponding reserves also increased to 1,312 euros per month, compared to 1,108 euros in the previous year.

In addition, the economic slowdown does not seem to have passed freelancers by either: in 2024, a slight majority of 53% still described their economic situation as good or very good – 2025 this figure is now only 45%. Around a third still expect the order situation to improve, two percent less than in the previous year. 38% expect the situation to remain the same (2024: 42%) and 29% now expect it to deteriorate (2024: 23%).

79% of freelancers also lamented the lack of political framework conditions as a problem for their form of work. The issue of bogus self-employment remains a perennial problem. 68% called for the corresponding regulations to be abolished, and the same number wanted less bureaucracy. 61% would also welcome a tax reform.

AI tools are standard

According to the survey, the use of generative AI tools is the norm for many freelancers. 77 percent stated that they use such tools. 82 percent used them for text generation, 48 percent for coding and 36 percent for communicating with clients. When asked which programming languages will become more important in the future, Python dominates by a clear margin with 61%. This is followed by TypeScript (36 percent), JavaScript (28 percent), Java (25 percent) and Rust (23 percent).

Ultimately, the Freelancer Compass paints a positive picture: 81% are satisfied or very satisfied with their situation as freelancers. 69 percent rated their life-work balance as good or very good. 34 percent could not imagine going back to a permanent position; 27 percent would consider it if the salary was attractive.

Details of the Freelancer Compass can be viewed here at Freelancermap.

(axk)