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Freelance Designer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Hydraulic Designer

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$72K - $108K/yr

The Hydraulic Designer will work extensively on NCDOT bridge and culvert replacement projects, drainage design, and hydrologic/hydraulic modeling. Key Responsibilities * Utilizes CADD and OpenRoads ...

Shop Drawing Designer

Apex, NC

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

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 ...

Shop Drawing Designer

Apex, NC

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ยท On-site

$99K - $106K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Stratus ยฎ 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 ...

Shop Drawing Designer

Apex, NC ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Graphic Designer II

Raleigh, NC ยท Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

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 ...

Digital Graphic Designer

Durham, NC ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This team is a part of an evolving marketing and brand ecosystem designed to power institutional growth, strengthen market presence, and deliver consistent, high-value experiences across the buyer ...

Digital Graphic Designer

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This team is a part of an evolving marketing and brand ecosystem designed to power institutional growth, strengthen market presence, and deliver consistent, high-value experiences across the buyer ...

New

Digital Graphic Designer

Durham, NC ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This team is a part of an evolving marketing and brand ecosystem designed to power institutional growth, strengthen market presence, and deliver consistent, high-value experiences across the buyer ...

Digital Graphic Designer

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This team is a part of an evolving marketing and brand ecosystem designed to power institutional growth, strengthen market presence, and deliver consistent, high-value experiences across the buyer ...

New

Senior Low Voltage Designer

Durham, NC ยท On-site

$98K - $105K/yr

As a Senior Low Voltage Designer, this role plays a critical part in shaping how workplace technology is delivered. This role is responsible for developing and coordinating low voltage design ...

Senior Technical Designer, Events

Raleigh, NC ยท 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 ...

Senior Low Voltage Designer

Durham, NC

$98K - $105K/yr

The role also helps ensure designs stay aligned with evolving industry practices and are adaptable to future needs. This position strengthens internalexpertise, improves quality, and reduces delivery ...

Power Distribution Senior Designer

Durham, NC

$98K - $105K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

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 ...

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 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance designer in Raleigh, NC is $46.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.56 and $60.00 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.

Technology Services Designer II

Affiliated Engineers, Inc.

Chapel Hill, NC โ€ข Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Join a Team Where Engineering Excellence Drives Opportunity

At Affiliated Engineers, Inc. (AEI), we bring together expertise and innovation to solve the most complex challenges. Since 1978, weโ€™ve supported mission-driven organizations in designing systems and environments that advance society and improve lives. Today, with more than 900 professionals across 22 offices, we help shape the future of healthcare, science and technology, energy, education, and other vital sectors.

From elevating patient care in world-class hospital systems to enabling technology and intelligence in research laboratories for Fortune 100 companies and driving infrastructure in AI Data Centers, our work enriches the human experience, drives innovation, leads technology in the A/E world, and pushes the boundaries of possibility.

AEI consistently earns national recognition from leading industry publications, including Building Design+Construction, Engineering News-Record, and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, with distinctions such as being named the #1 Laboratory Engineering Firm in the nation and receiving multiple Best of the Best Project awards, underscoring the lasting legacy of our work.

At AEI, youโ€™ll join a collaborative community where your expertise fuels innovation, your ideas drive progress, and your work helps shape a brighter future.

 As a Technology Services Designer in our Chapel Hill office, you will help us empower our clients to achieve energy-efficient building solutions, save global environments, and create a better, greener future for all.

 Why we need you:

In this role, you will use prior experience to convert system design concepts into specific layouts by interpreting information set forth in basis of design as well as information gathered from users, other consultants, field surveys and code research.

Expertise of our most successful Technology Services Designer:

  • 5+ yearsโ€™ experience designing Information Communications Technology (ICT) systems in a Built Environment, Building Technology, or Electrical consultant firm: structured cabling, voice/data systems, emergency communications, audio-visual systems, mission critical/data center connectivity, clinical communication systems to name a few.
  • Experience in leading the ICT design for projects in Healthcare, Higher Education, and Scientific environments.
  • Proficiency in Revit and AutoCAD.

Effective skills to help you flourish:

  • Understanding of building systems spatial requirements and design coordination.
  • Experience with Building Technology Systems and/or Electrical infrastructure design.
  • Experience with Revit MEP family development.
  • Experience with BIM modeling and Navisworks coordination resolution.
  • Knowledge of TIA, BICSI and NEC standards.
  • Strong spoken and written communications skills.
  • Excellent organization and time management skills.
  • Quick technical comprehension and motivation focused on client, project, and team outcomes.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
  • Effective working individually and within team environments.

When you work here, you can expect:

  • A flexible, collaborative environment where your well-being mattersโ€”because your best work happens when youโ€™re supported.
  • Real opportunities to growโ€”through mentorship, professional development programs, and exposure to high-impact projects across disciplines.
  • To collaborate with inspiring teammates who challenge the status quo, foster innovation, and pave the way for future leaders.
  • A benefits package that offers health, dental, vision, and retirement, a performance-based year-end bonus, and thoughtful perks tailored to your needsโ€”whether that's a flexible work environment, wellness resources, or community-focused initiatives, weโ€™ll continue to invest in.

If this dynamic environment and the chance to contribute to transformative projects resonate with your ambitions, we would love to connect with you. Join us and make an impact!

Apply online at https://aeieng.com/about/careers/

If you know someone who would thrive in this role, please share this posting with them directly via email or through your LinkedIn network.

AEI is proud to be an EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled.