Freelance vs. Full-Time: Which Career Move Should You Make?

Over 57 million people freelanced in America in 2019—a number that increased by 4 million since 2014. It's clear that this way of working is appealing to more and more people each year.

It's easy to see why!

Freelancing full-time offers flexibility that just can't be beat. Not only are you your own boss, but you're able to work from anywhere, at any time, for anyone. You're given full reign over what you do each day, along with the clients you do it for, and that flexibility (plus those other perks) is enough to make many working adults make the switch.

That said, as any freelancer will tell you, freelancing full-time isn't all traveling, working in pajamas, and doing whatever they want from some exotic island.

There's a lot of stress that comes with freelancing too—most notably, with money. There's no accounting department or payroll person that ensures you get your hard-earned paycheck; in fact, you're wholly in charge of making sure you get paid at all. 

On the flip side, working full-time has just as many pros and cons as freelancing. A steady job and pay stability can be a lifesaver during a volatile job economy. However, you have to take into account the lack of flexibility in terms of job duties. There's a lack of autonomy when it comes to choosing these tasks, too. Many employees feel like they have no choice in the tasks they take on.

What's Right for You: Freelancing or Working Full-Time?

No matter how long you've been either freelancing or working full-time, you know there are more pros and cons to each type of career. To make matters all the more confusing, the grass often tends to look greener on the other side. That being said, there are good and bad things that come with freelancing or working a traditional job. For a lot of people, deciding between freelancing or working full-time can be a tricky choice. The decision often boils down to three things:

1. What will make you the happiest
2. What you're most passionate about
3. Which type of job will help you live the lifestyle you desire

There's a number of things to consider when deciding between freelancing vs. working full-time; from average earnings to overall happiness and everything in between. My friends at Bestow made a spectacular infographic to walk you through the pros and cons of each career path. The graphic also includes some other important factors to consider, so you can make an informed decision.

To help you make this decision, reference this visual from Bestow that walks you through the pros and cons of each career path, along with other factors that will help you make the best decision for you, from average earnings to overall happiness!