Key takeaways
Freelance project managers are in high demand. The Project Management Institute (PMI) estimates that there will be a demand for 88 million project managers by 2027, fueled by the increase in new businesses and startups adopting project-oriented business models. But besides the demand, becoming a freelance project manager has its perks. You have the option to work from anywhere, more control over your time, and the ability to choose the project to work on, among others.
If working as a freelance project manager suits your preference, then this article is for you, as we prepared a step-by-step guide to becoming a freelance manager to help you get started.
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What is a freelance project manager?
First, let us start with a definition of a project manager. While the project manager profession has a broad meaning, it is commonly defined as a professional who is responsible for overseeing and delivering a project from initiation to completion.
According to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the project management life cycle and a project manager’s responsibilities are summarized into five phases:
- Closure: Submit final deliverables, communicate project status to stakeholders, turn over documentation
- Initiation: Define goals and objectives, outline milestones, identify potential risks
- Planning: Set a budget, allocate resources, clarify project scope
- Execution: Execute tasks based on plan, monitor task progress
- Monitoring and controlling: Track and review project performance
A freelance project manager is a project management professional who possesses the same set of skills and knowledge as a full-time project manager to plan and execute projects — but works outside of the typical nine-to-five work arrangement.
While a full-time project manager works for a single employer and handles multiple, if not all, of their projects, a freelance project manager may work for multiple clients at once and is hired temporarily for a specific project or deliverable. A freelance project manager is typically employed on a short-term basis, though they have the option to accept work from the same client after a project is completed.
A freelancer is also different from an independent contractor in the sense that the former has more control over when, where, and how they work, whereas an independent contractor works based on what is stipulated in the contract they signed. Both offer niche services, and neither is a full-time employee of the company for which they’re providing their services.
Essential skills and qualifications of a freelance project manager
To be an effective project manager requires a combination of hard skills, soft skills, education, and experience. While the requirements for each project may vary, the following skills are commonly expected from a project manager.
Hard skills
- Project planning
- Scheduling and organization
- Risk management
- Project budgeting
- Contract management
- Proficiency in using project management software
Soft skills
- Interpersonal communications
- People management
- Facilitation
- Decision-making
- Coaching and motivation
- Research and analysis
There is no formal education required to become a project manager. But it is worth noting that 68% of the most successful project managers hold a bachelor’s degree. It is advisable for project managers to have a degree in the industry they are in (e.g., computer science, electrical engineering, business, finance).
Certifications are also a good addition to your credentials. The most common certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Chartered Project Professional (ChPP). There are also certifications for more specialized skills, such as Certified Scrum Master (CSM), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP), and Project Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP).
Step-by-step guide: How to become a freelance project manager
Follow these steps to become a freelance project manager:
- Develop your experience and skills. Gain relevant experience by working as an intern, volunteering, or doing part-time work. The more projects and PM-related jobs you take on, the more opportunities you get to hone your skills. Focus on the skills that are important to your job (such as the ones listed above), but do not hesitate to improve in other areas too.
- Create a strong resume and portfolio. Put together an attention-grabbing resume. Make sure to highlight your achievements, especially those that prove that you have what it takes to be a good project manager.
- Advertise your services. Offer your expertise. You can start with your current networks, like your colleagues, former clients, and former team members. There are also freelancer sites, such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer, you can use to get the word out about your services
- Apply for opportunities. Apart from giving freelancers a platform to advertise their services, freelancer sites also post job vacancies. You can browse through their listings and apply for a non-full-time job as a freelance project manager. You may also go on Jobstreet, Indeed, or LinkedIn. Make sure you know the job description and compensation before applying.
- Grow your network. Networking is of utmost importance for a freelancer who often jumps from one project to another and is constantly seeking work opportunities. Attend events, meet new people, and take the time to get to know them — what they do, the projects they’ve managed, and the companies or people they’re affiliated with. Knowing someone beyond their name and contact info is how you build actual relationships, which will be helpful for you in the long run. You may also reconnect with individuals and businesses you’ve worked with before and ask about upcoming projects you can help with.
Tips for choosing your niche as a freelance PM
Some industries have higher rewards for project managers than others, so it is crucial that you choose the niche that not only are you the most confident in but also the one that will give you the most opportunities and highest return.
The five highest-paying industries for project managers include:
- Information technology: $95,904 per year / $46.11 per hour
- Finance: $92,065 per year / $44.26 per hour
- Construction: $91,283 per year / $43.89 per hour
- Manufacturing: $90,196 per year / $43.36 per hour
- Professional: $89,400 per year / $42.98 per hour
Several industries with high demand for project managers include technology, construction, manufacturing, and finance.
Transitioning from full-time work to freelancing
If you have been working as a project manager full time, transitioning to freelancing might have given you a significant head start. You have the necessary skills and experience, you know the industry, and you’ve met people in the field. These are things you can utilize as you transition to freelancing.
Outline your skills and experience in a strong resume. Use your industry knowledge to find opportunities. Contact your network; they may not give you a job offer straight away, but they can direct you to other people so you can grow your network. Go online, showcase your experience to advertise your offer. Find job opportunities and start with projects that you are already familiar with to build your reputation. At this point, do not resign from your full-time job yet because you still need to keep afloat. You will need to juggle between 2 jobs at first. When you already grasp the game and you are fully confident that you can survive by freelancing, take the leap of faith to become a truly freelance project manager.
How to find freelance PM work
Some places where you can find freelance project manager work include:
- Freelancer websites
There are freelancer websites, such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer, where you can both find freelance job opportunities and also advertise your service.
- Job vacancy websites
You can also go to the more traditional job vacancy websites, such as Jobstreet, Indeed, and LinkedIn, where they occasionally post vacancies for freelancers. To find freelance jobs only, use the “filter” feature and select contract or temporary period jobs.
- Your network
Utilizing your own network is crucial for freelancers. Contact your former employers, colleagues, your friends from high school, people you meet in project management conferences, or even people you meet in coffee shops to gain a lead for potential job opportunities.
Pros and cons of being a freelance project manager
Like any other profession, there are some upsides and downsides of being a freelance project manager.
Pros
- Work from anywhere: You can work from anywhere as long as there is a reliable internet connection
- Control over your own time: You have the freedom to decide what time of day you are going to start working and for how many hours, as long deliverables are met according to the agreed timeline.
- Freedom to choose projects and clients:Flexibility has always been one of the biggest benefits of freelancing. In the context of project management as a profession, being a freelancer means you get to choose what to work on and whom to work with. You can choose not to work on projects whose objectives do not align with your own or clients who are known to be unprofessional.
- Wider network: Being a freelancer allows you to meet more people, helping you build connections and expand your network, something that would be difficult to do with a full-time job with the same employer.
Cons
- No job security: A freelancer works from contract to contract; there is no guarantee of long-term employment.
- Income variability: Your income is directly influenced by market supply and demand, which can fluctuate significantly.
- Lack of employer benefits: No health insurance or other perks that often come with a full-time job.
How much do freelance project managers make?
The salary of a freelance project manager varies based on multiple factors, including years of experience, industry, location, and certifications, among others.
ZipRecruiter reports that as of June 2025, the average hourly pay for a freelance project manager in the US is $46.19 an hour. The rate ranges from $27.40 (25th percentile) to $59.38 (75th percentile), while the top earner gains $87 across the United States.
More detailed explanation is displayed on this below table:
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $181,000 | $15,083 | $3,480 | $87 |
| 75th Percentile | $123,500 | $10,291 | $2,375 | $59 |
| Average | $96,081 | $8,006 | $1,847 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $1,096 | $27 |
Wage Range of a Freelance Project Manager. Source: ZipRecruiter
Popular project management tools for freelancers
Proficiency in using project management tools is an added skill for a freelance project manager. Project management software and tools can be utilized to assign tasks to team members, set deadlines, and manage budget, among others. Some clients and vacancies even have requirements for some specific project management tools. Hence, familiarizing yourself with those tools will boost your chance of landing a freelance project manager role.
monday work management
Freelancers choose monday work management for the ease of use, seamless collaboration, and automation it offers. It also provides users with templates that can be easily customized to complete tasks faster, as well as integrations that make communication with multiple clients smooth and seamless.
ClickUp
ClickUp’s workspace and hierarchy features make it easy for users to organize their work and set priorities. This is especially helpful for freelancers who have to manage multiple tasks for various projects with different clients.
Jira
Jira is specifically designed for Agile teams, boasting features for sprint planning, issue tracking, and release management. As Agile methodologies are popular among IT project teams, consider using Jira to give you an advantage in that lucrative niche.
Asana
Asana is built to make remote work easier. It provides communication features, advanced automation, and robust visual tools. Asana’s interface focuses on team collaboration, whether remote or in-person, a fit-for-purpose feature ideal for a freelance project manager who works with all types of teams.
