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Freelance Designer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Stream Restoration Designer II Location: Preference to work out of our Raleigh office. Position Purpose Designers will work as part of a project team to deliver a variety of stream, wetland, and ...

About the Role As a Shop Drawing Designer , you will be responsible for developing comprehensive, technically accurate shop drawing packages for specialty commercial construction systems. This role ...

About the Role As a Shop Drawing Designer , you will be responsible for developing comprehensive, technically accurate shop drawing packages for specialty commercial construction systems. This role ...

About the Role As a Shop Drawing Designer, you will be responsible for developing comprehensive, technically accurate shop drawing packages for specialty commercial construction systems. This role ...

About the Role As a Shop Drawing Designer , you will be responsible for developing comprehensive, technically accurate shop drawing packages for specialty commercial construction systems. This role ...

Senior Roadway Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$99K - $106K/yr

Stratus ® designs spaces, systems, and solutions that perform, endure, and make an impact, delivering on our promise of Better Plans. Better Places. The Role Stratus recently partnered with Stewart ...

About the Role As a Shop Drawing Designer , you will be responsible for developing comprehensive, technically accurate shop drawing packages for specialty commercial construction systems. This role ...

Designs and implements a visual identity in a way that ensures the integrity, consistency, and clarity of the firm's branding and messaging across all touchpoints. * Determines the medium best suited ...

Job Summary The Power Distribution Engineer / Senior Designer will work on electric utility aerial and underground distribution design projects and be responsible for field surveying, traffic control ...

Power Distribution Senior Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$99K - $106K/yr

Job Summary The Power Distribution Engineer / Senior Designer will work on electric utility aerial and underground distribution design projects and be responsible for field surveying, traffic control ...

Power Distribution Senior Designer

Durham, NC · On-site

$98K - $105K/yr

Job Summary The Power Distribution Engineer / Senior Designer will work on electric utility aerial and underground distribution design projects and be responsible for field surveying, traffic control ...

Job Summary The Power Distribution Engineer / Senior Designer will work on electric utility aerial and underground distribution design projects and be responsible for field surveying, traffic control ...

Job Summary The Power Distribution Engineer / Senior Designer will work on electric utility aerial and underground distribution design projects and be responsible for field surveying, traffic control ...

Senior Technical Designer, Events

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$99K - $106K/yr

They are seeking a Senior Technical Designer to support the execution of large-scale Live Events for an unannounced video game title, contributing to innovative event design and ensuring a high ...

Showing results 41-60

Freelance Designer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$14

$46

$128

How much do freelance designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance designer in Raleigh, NC is $46.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.61 and $60.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do freelance designers typically manage client relationships and project expectations?

Freelance designers often juggle multiple clients and projects, making clear communication and expectation-setting essential. They usually establish project scopes, deadlines, and deliverables upfront, often using contracts to formalize agreements. Regular check-ins and updates help maintain transparency and foster trust, while tools like project management software or shared documents can keep both parties aligned. Building strong client relationships not only ensures smoother projects but can also lead to repeat business and referrals.

What is a freelance designer?

A freelance designer is a self-employed creative professional who offers design services to clients on a project-by-project basis, rather than working as a full-time employee for a single company. Freelance designers often specialize in areas like graphic design, web design, branding, or illustration. They have the flexibility to choose their clients, set their own rates, and manage their schedules. Freelance designers are responsible for finding clients, managing contracts, and delivering high-quality design work.

What is a freelance designer?

A freelance designer is a type of self-employed freelancer that works on design projects for business clients. Most freelance designers specialize in a specific field, such as graphic design or web design. While your responsibilities vary from gig to gig, they always revolve around carefully managing your time to complete and deliver client projects by a deadline, and to their exact specifications. You must communicate directly with your clients to figure out the scope of the project and decide on the payment specifics. As with all self-employed jobs, being a freelance designer requires self-motivation and basic knowledge of how to run your own business, along with technical skills in your chosen specialty.

How do freelance designers find work?

Freelance designers find work through online platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Behance, where they can showcase their portfolios and bid on projects. Networking, social media, and word-of-mouth referrals also play a key role in securing clients, along with maintaining a strong online presence and developing specialized skills in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance designer?

To thrive as a Freelance Designer, you need a strong portfolio showcasing proficiency in design principles, creativity, and expertise with visual communication, typically supported by relevant education or self-taught skills. Mastery of industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or Sketch is essential, and certifications in these tools can be advantageous. Excellent time management, client communication, and adaptability help freelancers deliver quality work and build lasting relationships. These skills are crucial for consistently meeting client expectations, managing multiple projects, and sustaining a successful freelance career.

What is the difference between Freelance Designer vs Graphic Designer?

AspectFreelance DesignerGraphic Designer
CredentialsPortfolio, design skills, sometimes certificationsDegree in Graphic Design or related field, portfolio
Work EnvironmentIndependent, remote or client-siteIn-house or agency setting, remote or on-site
Employer & Industry UsageSelf-employed, freelance platforms, clientsDesign firms, marketing agencies, companies
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for freelance opportunities or projectsSeeking full-time or part-time employment

Freelance Designers work independently on various projects for multiple clients, often remotely, and manage their own schedules. Graphic Designers are typically employed by companies or agencies, working on branding, advertising, or print materials within a structured environment. Both roles require strong design skills and portfolios, but their work settings and employment types differ significantly.

How much does a freelance designer get paid?

Freelance designers typically earn between $25 and $150 per hour, depending on experience, specialization, and project complexity. Many also charge fixed project rates or retainers, with annual earnings varying widely based on workload and client base.
What are the most commonly searched types of Designer jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Designer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Freelance Designer jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Freelance Designer job openings:
Infographic showing various Freelance Designer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,454 per year, or $46.4 per hour.

Designer II - Water Resources

McAdams

Raleigh, NC

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Stream Restoration Designer II

Location: Preference to work out of our Raleigh office.

Position Purpose

Designers will work as part of a project team to deliver a variety of stream, wetland, and buffer restoration projects for both public and private clients across the Southeast. This work will include but is not limited to geomorphic assessments, stream and wetland restoration design, permitting, construction observation, and post-construction monitoring.

Essential Functions + Responsibilities

  • Assist in conducting geomorphic assessments (cross section and longitudinal profile survey, pebble counts, and BEHI analysis, etc.)
  • Design, analysis, and permitting for stream and wetland restoration projects
  • Develop technical memos and mitigation plans
  • Delineate drainage areas and use AutoCAD or ArcGIS to develop drainage area maps
  • Complete Hydrograph routing, Riverine Modeling, FEMA Flood Studies, CLOMR/LOMR letters, and No-Rise certifications
  • Complete analyses of open channel systems
  • Work in accordance with company standards with project team from concept phase through construction administration for a variety of projects
  • Assist with annual monitoring activities of constructed projects and preparation of annual monitoring reports.
  • Be willing to perform field work as necessary for geomorphic assessments, construction observation, and monitoring activities
  • Be able to manage time spent on assigned tasks efficiently

Qualifications

  • Four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited program in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, or related field
  • 2 - 5 years of experience in water resources and environmental design experience
  • Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D and ArcGIS
  • Experience with technical writing
  • Excellent communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
  • Self-starter with strong drive to better oneself, project team, and community
  • Work collaboratively with all team members on all aspects of project execution
  • Possess strong organizational skills with an attention to detail
  • Candidates should be prepared to provide work samples and/or take a CAD assessment

Preferences

  • EI on path to PE
  • Rosgen or equivalent stream restoration training
  • Stormwater Control Measure design training