https://app.grammIt is one of the world’s most exciting and lucrative jobs, and the job market is very favorable for programmers. There are so many jobs available that employers should seek out programmers. One of the advantages of this profession is freelance programming.
As programming can only be done remotely via the Internet and its output is digital, programmers can work freelance. This type of cooperation benefits programmers even though most freelancers lack job security and a relatively high income. This is due to the high number of programming projects on the market.
Of course, programmers also have to deal with one of the main disadvantages of self-employment in this way, which is the lack of insurance and benefits such as holidays and pensions. This job has many benefits, including a high income, flexible working hours, and no need to leave the house. Despite these benefits, most programmers prefer to submit their resumes to job postings for job stability, insurance, and legal protection.
This article will discuss the similarities and differences between freelance and full-time developers so you can choose your career path based on this information.
What is a freelance programmer?
Instead of asking what freelance programming is, ask who a freelance programmer is. A freelance programmer has programming skills in one or more languages and works for various employers as part of projects and remote work without long-term contracts. Instead of permanently hiring programmers, organizations that only need a limited number hire freelancers.
Advantages and disadvantages of freelance programming
Despite the insecurity of this type of work, some people choose it as their career path. Even though such jobs don’t have benefits, flexible working hours attract those who dislike restrictions.
Advantages of freelance programming
- You can work remotely: Telecommuting allows you to choose your work environment. You can work in comfortable clothes and listen to your favorite music at home. You don’t need to make time-consuming, expensive, and dangerous trips to work. Telecommuting increases productivity and improves health, according to studies.
- You are your boss: As a freelance programmer, you are your boss. You have to work with customers, but working for a customer differs from working for a boss in an organization. It is your responsibility to manage your time and resources.
- You work with different tools and technologies: Your job is not limited to a specific role since you are not working for a particular organization. You can work in many fields. You can be a system admin, Java developer, or JavaScript expert. By working on various projects, you get to know different areas; this diversity is beneficial and enjoyable for you.
- You can work on your projects: One of the most attractive things about a programming job is having your own projects and starting your own business. You must have enough time and money for this. This becomes very difficult and slow if you work full-time and are employed by an organization. On the other hand, if you work as a freelancer, you can easily earn enough to live on. You can also devote most of your time to your project. For example, you can develop and sell an app or start a business around it.
Freelance programming disadvantages
- You will not receive any benefits: You usually do not sign contracts with your clients; if you do, they tend to be short. Therefore, the employer is not required to insure you or give you benefits such as holidays, pensions, or child rights.
- Money is everything: Even if you love your job, you must make money from it. One of the significant disadvantages of project jobs is that you will have to work for a meager salary at the beginning. In addition, you will have a few orders at the beginning. Even if you become a professional, sometimes you need to improve the number of orders within specific timeframes. Also, you have to put freelance work on resume to give more project.
- Your social connections will be very limited: One of the advantages of working in person for a company or even remotely for an organization is having colleagues and building relationships. This can be very helpful. On the other hand, when you work at home and have no co-workers, you may feel lonely and have no one to turn to when you run into problems.
Of course, this is sometimes an excellent thing. Many people worked as freelancers for many years before starting their current job. Although they love teamwork, they can also benefit from solitude. However, this is not true in all cases, and not everyone can cope with loneliness and solo careers.
What is a Full-Time Developer
Full-time developers are professionals fully and exclusively engaged in software development and maintenance. Above all, this job means total commitment to a project or an organization. Many full-time developers now work from home due to telecommuting. They typically work in an office environment.
These professionals have extensive responsibilities, including writing code, testing software, debugging, and continuously updating applications. Full-time developers must continually learn and improve their skills to adapt to technological changes.
Advantages and disadvantages of Full-Time Developer
Working as a full-time developer can be challenging, as it requires great flexibility in dealing with technical issues and solving complex problems. However, this role is very rewarding, as you can be involved in critical and impactful projects while simultaneously seeing your professional growth.
In addition, full-time developers often have decent job benefits, including health insurance, paid vacation, and retirement plans. These benefits and ongoing career advancement opportunities attract many IT professionals.
Working as a full-time developer in the IT world comes with benefits and challenges that can significantly impact one’s career path and quality of life. Understanding these aspects is essential for those considering entering this field or rethinking their career path.
The advantages of full-time development
- Job stability: Due to the ever-increasing demand for developers in various industries, full-time work often offers more job stability, which can lead to financial security.
- Comprehensive job benefits: Comprehensive employment benefits, including health insurance, paid vacation, and retirement plans, are rarely found in temporary or project contracts.
- Learning and growth opportunities: Many organizations hire back-end developer freelance and invest in developing employees’ professional skills, offering training courses, conferences, and workshops.
- Working on diverse and large projects: You may be able to work on challenging, long-term projects that significantly impact industry and society.
Disadvantages of full-time development
- Limits on creativity: Working in a large organization can sometimes limit creativity and initiative, especially if projects are heavily supervised and under rigid guidelines.
- Long working hours and work pressure: Despite strict project schedules and deadlines, full-time developers are sometimes forced to work long hours or under stressful conditions.
- Technological change speed: Constantly updating skills and technical knowledge can be challenging and time-consuming.
- Work-life balance: Finding the right balance between work and personal life can be difficult, especially during busy periods.
Ultimately, the decision to work as a full-time developer depends on personal preference, professional goals, and ability to adapt to organizational culture. Developers looking for stability, growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits may find this path ideal, while others may seek more flexibility in freelance or project-based jobs.
Freelance vs full-time developer salary
Programming income is affected by several factors, whether permanent or freelance. One of the most critical factors is work experience. In terms of work experience, programmers can be divided into three groups: junior (work experience less than two years), middle level (work experience between two and five years), and senior (with work experience more than five years). Programming internships are still highly paid despite being internships.
You can make around $50 per hour worldwide (regardless of where you are based), but this can vary considerably depending on your location. For example, a freelance Python developer with communications, NoSQL, or machine learning skills can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. This income level can be even higher for experienced developers, with salaries up to $200,000 annually. Additionally, developers with specialized skills can command higher salaries.
Another factor that plays a very prominent role, especially in determining the income of a freelance programmer, is the language in which he specializes in coding. Different languages earn different incomes. In 2018, Python was the most profitable coding language. Freelancing has low job security, and sometimes, you may only receive a project for a few months, so it is crucial to know several programming languages if you choose this method to earn money.
Those who work on a project without a permanent job earn income based on the number of orders they receive. Therefore, these people’s income is determined by the extent and strategy of their communication and advertising, especially in the virtual world. Furthermore, it depends on the speed and quality of their work. Having a plan and being regular are critical factors influencing all these factors. As a freelancer, you must take your work seriously and not let your freedom of action destabilize you.
On the other hand, those who follow the plan regularly set goals for themselves and are obliged to achieve them quickly. They can progress as a programmer who works on projects and completes many orders. The quality of their work and their extensive communication make them a brand, and they can earn a great deal of money from this profession.
However, the situation is different for a full-time software developer. In the United States, the average salary for a full-time software developer ranges from around $70,000 for those new to the field to over $120,000 for those with more experience. Meanwhile, in countries like India, annual income may start at around $5,000 and rise to $30,000 or more for experienced professionals. This reflects a significant difference in living standards and living costs.
In Europe, the situation is different. Countries like Switzerland and Norway, due to their high standard of living, show higher incomes for developers, ranging from $80,000 to over $150,000 annually. In contrast, in countries with a lower cost of living, such as Portugal or Greece, income may be between $20,000 and $40,000 per year.
Several Asian countries, including Japan and South Korea, offer developers competitive salaries of $30,000 to $70,000 annually.
Software developer earnings are strongly influenced by geographical location, skill level, expertise in specific languages and technologies, and work experience.
Final thought
Programming is among the most attractive jobs in a very competitive job market. One advantage of this job is remote work. Many organizations need permanent programmers, but some have limited projects for which they turn to freelance programmers.
A freelancer works on a project without being tied to one employer for a long time. On the other hand, full-time programmers sign contracts with companies to work with them for a specific period. Currently, in many countries, most organizations that need to hire programmers are located in big cities; therefore, many living in smaller towns work with these organizations on projects.
Income depends on geographical location, skill level, expertise in specific languages and technologies, and work experience. Freelancers’ incomes, however, can be very low or very high, depending entirely on their performance.
Freelancers have benefits such as flexible working hours, telecommuting, and various projects. Still, this job needs to be more stable and include insurance and benefits, especially at the beginning. This is precisely what full-time developers benefit from. In addition, the freelancer programmer has to work alone, and their social connections are less than in a full-time or in-person job.