Freelance WordPress Developer Jobs

Trying to map out a path in freelance WordPress development can feel… well, a bit nuts sometimes. You hear whispers that WordPress is “old news,” yet nearly half the web seems to disagree. You see hourly rates advertised from $15 all the way past $100, and wonder which planet those numbers come from. So, what’s the actual story if you’re looking for remote freelance WordPress developer jobs in 2025?

Let’s cut through the noise. Is WordPress still a solid bet for freelancers? How much can you really make? And where do you even find the good gigs?

The Big Question: How Much Can You Earn?

Alright, let’s talk money. This is where things get wild. You’ll see numbers all over the place, and honestly? They can all be true, depending on who, where, and how.

You might see average US-based freelance WordPress developer rates hovering around $33 – $41 per hour, which translates to something like $84,000 a year if you’re working full-time equivalent hours. But that’s just an average.

Then you have platforms like Codeable, specifically for vetted WordPress experts. Here, the rates jump significantly, typically falling between $80 and $120 per hour. Why the huge difference? Specialization and pre-vetted quality assurance command a premium.

Geography plays a massive role too. As Joost Nennie from The White Label Agency points out:

“US developers often charge over $70/hour primarily due to local market expenses and specialized WordPress expertise.”

Compare that to rates you might see from developers based in Asia, which often range from $15 to $35 per hour. This global competition is a reality on more open platforms.

Want a snapshot? Here’s a rough guide based on recent data:

The takeaway? Your earning potential isn’t fixed. It depends heavily on your skills, your location (or the location of your clients), and crucially, where you find work.

Finding Your Fit: Where the Remote WordPress Gigs Are

So, where do you actually find these freelance WordPress developer jobs? They aren’t all created equal.

• General Marketplaces (like Upwork, Fiverr): These are the huge platforms everyone knows. You can find WordPress work here, absolutely. The challenge? Massive competition, often driving rates down. You’ll find everything from tiny $5 fixes to larger projects, with rates spanning that huge $15-$100+ range. It takes effort to stand out and command higher prices here.
• Premium / Vetted Platforms (like Codeable, Toptal): These platforms are more selective. They vet developers rigorously, meaning clients expect (and pay for) top-tier expertise. This is where you see those $80-$120/hour rates. Getting accepted can be tough, but the quality of projects and pay is generally much higher.
• Job Boards (like We Work Remotely, RemoteOK): These often list full-time remote roles but also feature freelance contracts. Good for finding longer-term engagements.
• Your Network: Never underestimate this! Many high-paying freelance gigs come through referrals or connections. Mark, a US-based developer, took a leap from a stable job during the pandemic. He didn’t rely solely on platforms; he leveraged his existing network to land remote WordPress contracts, hitting $120/hour within nine months. It was a risk, but his connections paid off.

Think about Adrian’s story. He started out doing general freelance work from Colombia, probably scraping by on lower rates typical of open platforms. But he didn’t stay there. He focused on improving his skills, got certifications, and then specifically targeted niche platforms like Codeable. His earnings jumped from around $15/hour to $70/hour on specialized projects. It shows that where you focus your energy matters immensely.

Beyond the Basics: Skills That Actually Move the Needle

Knowing basic WordPress setup isn’t enough anymore if you want the better-paying freelance jobs. You need to bring more to the table.

Here’s what clients paying top dollar often look for:

• Solid PHP Foundation: WordPress runs on PHP. Understanding it well allows you to customize themes, build plugins, and troubleshoot complex issues beyond surface-level changes.
• Custom Theme & Plugin Development: Building things from scratch or heavily modifying existing ones is a high-value skill. Clients need unique solutions, not just off-the-shelf installs.
• WooCommerce Expertise: E-commerce is massive. Being able to set up, customize, and optimize WooCommerce stores is incredibly valuable. Just look at Neha, a developer based in India. She found juggling freelance growth and childcare challenging. Her solution? Specializing heavily in WooCommerce. This allowed her to attract repeat, high-quality clients through platforms like Toptal, giving her more control over her schedule and income.
• Performance Optimization: Nobody likes a slow website. Knowing how to speed up WordPress sites (database queries, image optimization, caching) is key.
• Security Best Practices: Understanding WordPress security vulnerabilities and how to harden sites against attacks is non-negotiable for serious projects.
• API Integrations: Connecting WordPress to other services (CRMs, marketing automation tools, etc.) is increasingly common.
• Modern Front-End Skills (JavaScript, React, etc.): Especially relevant with the rise of headless WordPress and the Block Editor (Gutenberg).

As WordPress expert Pushpendra Singh advises:

“Staying current with technological trends is critical. Remote WordPress developers must highlight specialized skills in WooCommerce or custom plugin development.”

The theme here? Specialization pays. Being a generalist is fine to start, but honing in on a specific, in-demand area like e-commerce or custom development is how you move up the pay scale.

A Few Truths About the Freelance WordPress World

Let’s clear up a few things you might hear:

• Is WordPress Dying? Nope. Not even close. Despite fancy new tech, WordPress still powers around 43% of all websites. That massive install base means ongoing demand for developers to build, maintain, and customize sites. Projections show web developer demand growing strong well into the next decade.
• The “WordPress Discount”: You might hear, as Ryan Don Sullivan from WP Site Care noted, that sometimes adding “WordPress” to a job title seems to lower the expected salary compared to a generic “Web Developer” title, even if the work is complex. It’s a weird perception issue, but it highlights why showcasing specific skills (like PHP, WooCommerce, API integration) is crucial to command higher rates. You’re not just a “WordPress person,” you’re a developer specializing in a powerful platform.
• Platform Pay Gaps Are Real: As mentioned, the difference between earnings on a general platform versus a premium one like Codeable can be huge – easily double or triple for similar work. It pays (literally) to aim high once you have the skills.

The demand for skilled WordPress developers, particularly those who can handle complexity and specialization, is definitely still there and growing. Don’t let the “WordPress is basic” myth fool you.

Okay, So What Now? Your Next Moves

Feeling a bit clearer, maybe a little overwhelmed? That’s normal! Here are a few practical things you can do right now to move forward in finding great freelance WordPress developer jobs:

1. Honestly Assess Your Skills: Where do you stand on the list above? Be real with yourself. Identify one or two areas where you could level up – maybe diving deeper into WooCommerce or learning advanced custom field techniques.
2. Polish Your Portfolio: Make sure it showcases projects that reflect the kind of work you want to do (and the rates you want to charge). Generic themes with swapped logos won’t cut it for premium gigs. Show your problem-solving skills.
3. Research Platforms Strategically: Don’t just sign up everywhere. Look closely at Codeable, Toptal, maybe specialized agencies, alongside considering Upwork if you’re starting out. Which ones align with your skillset and financial goals? Read reviews from other freelancers. Kinsta’s blog often has great insights into the ecosystem.
4. Start Networking (Even Online): Engage in WordPress communities (Twitter, Slack groups, forums). Share what you’re learning. Connect with other developers and potential clients. You never know where the next opportunity might come from.
5. Think About Specialization: Could you become the go-to person for membership sites? Accessibility audits? Speed optimization? Developing a niche makes you more memorable and valuable.

The path to thriving as a freelance WordPress developer isn’t about finding some magic bullet. It’s about continuously improving your skills, understanding the market landscape, and positioning yourself strategically. It takes work, but the flexibility and earning potential are definitely achievable.

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