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Freelancer vs private contractor

The differences between freelancers and private contractors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a freelancer, becoming a private contractor takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a freelancer has an average salary of $59,367, which is higher than the $45,674 average annual salary of a private contractor.

The top three skills for a freelancer include customer service, web content and video production. The most important skills for a private contractor are windows, snow removal, and RAN.

Freelancer vs private contractor overview

FreelancerPrivate Contractor
Yearly salary$59,367$45,674
Hourly rate$28.54$21.96
Growth rate3%8%
Number of jobs2,08813,902
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age3846
Years of experience12-

Freelancer vs private contractor salary

Freelancers and private contractors have different pay scales, as shown below.

FreelancerPrivate Contractor
Average salary$59,367$45,674
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $86,000Between $27,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between freelancer and private contractor education

There are a few differences between a freelancer and a private contractor in terms of educational background:

FreelancerPrivate Contractor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common majorGraphic DesignBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Pennsylvania-

Freelancer vs private contractor demographics

Here are the differences between freelancers' and private contractors' demographics:

FreelancerPrivate Contractor
Average age3846
Gender ratioMale, 47.7% Female, 52.3%Male, 73.7% Female, 26.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 1.5% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage13%2%

Differences between freelancer and private contractor duties and responsibilities

Freelancer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the instagram account to create a trend and increase the numbers of followers and likes.
  • Manage and develop a stream line Intranet site for better communication purposes and quicker access to documents and company information
  • Implement and customize several websites using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and WordPress.
  • Design and develop the website for SoftProjector (http: //softprojector.org/) in HTML, CSS and PHP.
  • Create custom WordPress template that require the use of HTML5, CSS and PHP.
  • Perform social media management, Facebook advertising, social media blasts, and other marketing relate activities.
  • Show more

Private contractor example responsibilities.

  • Enter and manage data for timberline for JC/AP/AR for multiple companies.
  • Manage, oversee and troubleshoot production schedules, critical orders and product development.
  • Utilize QuickBooks to manage company finances, including project invoices, material purchases, and accounts receivable.
  • Manage and decide all remodel activities.
  • Prepare and submit EHR data require for third party, Medicare, and Medicaid compliance audits.
  • Apply coats of paint, varnish, stain, enamel and lacquer to decorate and protect interior and exterior surfaces.
  • Show more

Freelancer vs private contractor skills

Common freelancer skills
  • Customer Service, 32%
  • Web Content, 17%
  • Video Production, 6%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 4%
  • Photography, 3%
  • Graphic Design, 3%
Common private contractor skills
  • Windows, 36%
  • Snow Removal, 16%
  • RAN, 8%
  • Manual Labor, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • HVAC, 6%

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