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Freelance Programmer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Catylist

Java/Web Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

Consulting/freelance is not your bag. You prefer to maintain and improve the products you've built rather than hand them off and move on. This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, remote, W2 position ...

Readdy

Technical User Support Intern

Mundelein, IL · On-site

$15.25 - $19.75/hr

Tens of thousands of freelancers, agencies, and small business owners sign up every month, and our ... Reproduce real bugs and write clean handoff reports for the engineering team (steps to reproduce ...

Inside Lvmh

Account Executive, Chicago

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80 - $95/hr

Possess impeccable knowledge of all retailer CRM programs and be fluent in all dior.com programming ... Recruit, hire, and develop high performing counter teams, freelancers, and market leads. * Uphold ...

New

Nuphoriq

Director of Web Strategy & Design

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

You'll lead our web team and freelancers through the website process. * Innovation. You'll improve ... You don't need to be the only writer, SEO person, analyst, or developer, but you do need to ...

Nuphoriq

Director of Web Strategy & Design

Chicago, IL · On-site

You'll lead our web team and freelancers through the website process. * Innovation. You'll improve ... You don't need to be the only writer, SEO person, analyst, or developer, but you do need to ...

Nuphoriq

Director of Web Strategy & Design

Chicago, IL · On-site

You'll lead our web team and freelancers through the website process. * Innovation. You'll improve ... You don't need to be the only writer, SEO person, analyst, or developer, but you do need to ...

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Freelance Programmer information

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How much do freelance programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance programmer in Chicago, IL is $40.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.54 and $53.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance programmer?

A freelance programmer or developer codes software applications for mobile or desktop computing. They consult with clients to determine the scope and goals of the project and provide input to improve the design. They then prepare a workflow chart that helps them manage the software development process and code the workflow information using a computer language. After completing the programming, the developer then tests the finished product to ensure it meets the client’s expectations. A freelance programmer may work independently or as part of a team of freelance developers for a specific project.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Programmer, you need strong programming skills in relevant languages, a solid understanding of software development practices, and a portfolio that showcases your work. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, project management tools, and sometimes certifications in specific technologies can be advantageous. Excellent communication, time management, and self-motivation are essential soft skills for managing client relationships and deadlines. These abilities are important because they ensure you can deliver high-quality work independently, meet client expectations, and maintain a steady stream of projects.

What are some common challenges freelance programmers face when managing multiple clients simultaneously?

Freelance programmers often juggle multiple projects with different deadlines, expectations, and communication styles, which can make time management and prioritization challenging. Balancing client demands while maintaining code quality and meeting delivery schedules requires strong organizational skills and clear, proactive communication. Additionally, freelancers must handle administrative tasks such as invoicing and contract management, which can add to their workload. Building long-term client relationships and setting clear boundaries are key strategies for overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Freelance Programmer vs Software Developer?

AspectFreelance ProgrammerSoftware Developer
CredentialsTypically self-taught or with coding bootcamps; no formal certification requiredOften holds a degree in computer science or related field; certifications like Microsoft, AWS may be common
Work EnvironmentIndependent, remote or on-site client projectsEmployed by a company or organization, working in teams or departments
Employer & Industry UsageClients across various industries; project-based workCompanies, startups, or organizations; product development teams
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for freelance opportunities or project-based workSeeking full-time or permanent roles in software development

While both Freelance Programmers and Software Developers write code, Freelance Programmers typically work independently on diverse client projects without formal employment, whereas Software Developers are usually employed by organizations, working within teams on ongoing software products.

More about Freelance Programmer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL?

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For Freelance Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Freelance Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Programmer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,780 per year, or $40.8 per hour.

Manager, Data Engineering

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Chicago, IL

$88K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Publicis Groupe rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 52 rated marketing agency

Job description

Company Description

PHM is the leading health media agency in the US, built for the modern healthcare experience. Here, industry depth meets media scale, where data becomes direction, where creativity and storytelling bring truth to life, and where orchestration replaces fragmentation.

Dedicated to making brands discovered, PHM redefines what media can do through data, content, and creativity. Because in modern healthcare, the brands that are found are the ones that lead. And when brands lead, advantage follows. Go deeper. Be found.

Overview

The Data Manager of Data Engineering will work in a hands-on and supportive role in our Technology and Data Department. This team processes and maintains all the data that flows into our organization and is the face of the agency regarding data needs from HCP publishers.

You will work with internal and external partners, along with industry vendors, to monitor data transfers, perform data QA'ing and maintain documentation. You will also support the Vice President of Data engineering to enforce enterprise-wide data processes and protocols.

Responsibilities
  • Lead a portfolio of data projects across multiple clients
  • Design and manage scalable pipelines, including ingestion from APIs (REST, GraphQL, vendor feeds) and traditional ETL sources
  • Contribute to data architecture decisions to ensure efficient schema design, scalability, and governance across data warehouses and lakehouses
  • Partner with BI, Product, and Media Tech teams to automate data integrations and improve data flow reliability
  • Oversee ETL and metadata management to ensure stability, security, and compliance
  • Present issues, trends, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders
  • Maintain best practices for handling, storing, and governing data
Qualifications
  • BS in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field
  • Strong hands-on experience with PySpark (preferred language for data engineering and automation)
  • Proficiency in Python and SQL for data processing and automation
  • Experience building and maintaining API-based data pipelines, including authentication and error handling
  • Solid knowledge of modern data architecture (data modeling, governance, warehouse, lakehouse)
  • Experience with database structures, ETL, and cloud data platforms
  • Technical documentation skills and ability to communicate complex topics in simple, user-friendly terms

Specific Skills Required:

  • Cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, Databricks
  • Data warehouses/lakehouses: Snowflake, Redshift, Databricks Lakehouse
  • BI tools: Tableau, Datorama (preferred)
  • Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams
Additional Information

Our Publicis Groupe motto "Viva La Difference" means we're better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent.

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact USMTTACompliance@publicis.com.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

#LI-LV1

 Compensation Range: USD $88,540.00 - USD $127,155.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 10/1/2026.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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