Freelance computer security & writing skills surge in Q2 2024

Global freelancing marketplace Freelancer.com has published its quarterly Fast 50 Index for Q2 2024, which identifies the fastest-growing freelance skills based on data from 251,000 jobs posted on the platform. The report highlights a particular surge in demand for freelance Computer Security, Writing, and Business skills.

Despite concerns that generative AI tools might reduce the need for such jobs, the data suggests otherwise. Writing, general business services, and legal skills—areas feared to be vulnerable to AI disruption—showed significant growth in the latest quarter.

Small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) appear to be increasingly reliant on freelance computer security experts due to rising cybersecurity threats. The number of Computer Security jobs grew by 27.1%, from 868 to 1,103 jobs, making it the fastest-growing freelance skill. Projects increasingly require assistance with network security, security assessments to pinpoint vulnerabilities, and the development of cybersecurity response strategies.

General business services also witnessed a noticeable rise. Market research jobs grew by 21.1% from 1,525 to 1,859, while telemarketing jobs increased by 19.4% from 1,177 to 1,405. Sales (up 15.5% from 3,467 to 4,005), lead generation (up 12.2% from 1,802 to 2,021), and business plans (up 10.9% from 1,197 to 1,328) also saw growth. Many new businesses started at the beginning of the year now seek additional support to expand and scale their operations.

Writing skills remain in high demand. PDF writing jobs were up by 26.7% from 2,533 to 3,210, and Microsoft Word projects increased by 23.9% from 3,368 to 4,173. Furthermore, copy typing jobs grew by 11.6% from 4,428 to 4,941.

Legal skills also defied expectations of a downturn due to AI tools. Legal jobs rose by 12.0% from 1,138 to 1,274, and legal research grew by 10.8% from 917 to 1,016. Notably, the preliminary results of Freelancer.com’s AI survey, which encompasses over 4,100 workers globally, counter the narrative that generative AI reduces earnings for freelancers. Over half of the respondents (52.5%) reported earning the same or more since the advent of AI tools. Approximately one fifth (19.2%) stated they are earning significantly more, while only 17.7% mentioned earning less.

Matt Barrie, Chief Executive at Freelancer.com, commented on the impact of AI on the freelance market: "AI is creating more jobs than it takes. While many critics continue to speculate which jobs will be made redundant with AI tools, the data shows that freelance jobs which are labelled as the most at risk to AI disruption are in fact growing. The preliminary results from our AI survey also dispel the myth that freelancers are earning less since the introduction of generative AI as more than three quarters of workers we surveyed are either earning the same or earning more, with a subset taking advantage of AI and earning a lot more."

The main category of jobs that fell in Q2 2024 involved eCommerce, which saw substantial growth in the previous quarter. Shopify Templates jobs decreased by 13% (from 1,476 to 1,284), CSS jobs fell by 11.8% (from 9,486 to 8,368), and WooCommerce jobs dropped by 11.2% (from 1,072 to 952). Shopify jobs also declined by 10.8% (from 2,545 to 2,269). This decline is attributed mainly to seasonality, as new businesses typically seek eCommerce setup help early in the year but later pivot to other business support services.

Electronic Repairs jobs have shown notable growth recently, particularly over the past year. In Q2 2024, Electronic Repairs jobs increased by 10.7% (from 14,945 to 16,548 jobs), and compared to Q2 2023, the job category surged by an impressive 162% (from 6,315 to 16,548 jobs). These jobs are often in-person tasks involving laptop, printer, and computer hardware repairs carried out as part of Freelancer's Global Fleet Program.