Ask HN: How much, on average, do freelancers make?

There may be an average for your particular niche, however I believe it varies drastically on the whole. Largely depending on the work you do, experience, and your contacts. Also, I believe the rate you charge gets you completely different clients. Charging $50 an hour? You will get people who don't pay, don't know what they are doing, and are hard to work with. Don't change anything except your rate (e.g. $150 an hour) and you will see completely different clients.

I personally work only off retainer at a rate of ~2k per day. I think for my line of work this is on the lower end. Retainer must be paid upfront. I have fewer, but longer lasting clients and projects. I am VERY good to them. I believe I approach the freelancing game different than most and it nets a lot of referrals. I often turn down work and I am a stickler on who/what I work on.

NOTE: 90% of the time I work for myself solo and 10% of the time I freelance, mostly out of the desire to get new perspectives and work with others.

I don't consider myself to be the average freelancer. Due to my marketing skills. Still, I will talk about the specifics you asked about.

1. I do take more than one project at a time. Usually one big (more than a month's work), and one small ( less than a month's work). I have no problem meeting deadlines.

2. Depends, and is negotiable. I will say that my rates a a hair under average for California. I do this because I work remotely and avoid flying in (but will do it if I have to).

3. I am an American doing remote work from the Caribbean.

The biggest issue freelancers have is that most don't know how to properly market themselves. They tend to think that an ad on HN will be enough to bring in high six figures (it won't). You have to have a good marketing system going on for you. After many requests from other freelancers, I'm about to offer such a system. But its has not launched yet. If you want to know more, just send me an email. The system is built around getting good leads from different boards, email marketing, and content marketing. It took me to almost broke, to , well, a very, very nice place in about 7 months. Anyhow, just email me. Others, keep posted for the launch.

qzxt,

I've been thinking about getting my feet wet with freelancing lately. Like you, I have 2 years Python/Django experience and am pretty good with front-end stuff. If you want to discuss partnering up, shoot me a message. (email is on user page)