Top 15 Salary Jobs That Have Contract Work in 2025

Some high-salaried jobs are not necessarily permanent. A lot of experts choose to work on salary jobs that have contract work with a high-paying offer, as it makes them free & they can earn for a limited period of time, and sometimes the money is more than that of a full-time job. 

The demand for the contracting job is particularly high in the markets where experts with a particular skill set are needed.

This guide focuses on the top 15 best contract jobs with salary work. By reading this guide, it will all be clear to you about contractor work and salary jobs.

Defining Independent Contractor

An independent contractor is an individual who provides a service of labor services to an organization without being paid as an employee of that organization. An independent contractor must pay their own social security and medicare taxes.

Moreover, an individual who uses the services of an independent contractor does not require employment benefits such as health insurance that the individual might provide to its employees.

Defining Salaried Jobs

Salaried jobs are those where an individual receives a fixed salary at regular intervals, rather than an hourly rate, and is qualified for benefits such as sick leave.

Federal laws state that employees who receive a fixed amount of salary on a routine basis do not qualify for quantitative deductions. Like, for example, an employee with a wage cannot be paid less than the anticipated amount if he has completed a project within the expected hours.

Top 15 Best Contract Jobs with Salary

The following are the top 15 high-paying contract salary jobs:

1) Virtual Assistant:

A virtual assistant is responsible for various duties. Some of the working tasks include making calls and receiving them.

If you’re taking up the job of a virtual assistant, then you might have to communicate with the customers through email or by setting up appointments. 

Earning a lump sum amount of money as a virtual assistant requires excellent communication, time management, written and verbal communication, and customer service abilities.

2) Management Analyst:

A management analyst works similarly to a consultant; they assess business operations and provide recommendations to improve productivity.

Being a management analyst, you can choose the organization you want to work for to ensure that the firm succeeds in its goal. If you have found your niche and have made a name for yourself, then the hourly wage rate is $40.

Strong communication skills and analytics abilities are a must for success.

3) Painter:

A painter with an independent contractor salary acquires skills that require expertise, and they are available whenever you need them.

They might apply a fresh coat of paint anywhere you want, whether it’s inside or outside the house. More than 40% of the self-employed individuals are painters, and the low barrier means that anybody can try their hand at this craft. You can expect around $35,000 annually being a painter.

4) Photographer:

A photographer focuses on capturing moments through the lens. It’s common for photographers to operate independently like painters, creating original works of art and selling them to the public.

Contract employment is another option for photographers, particularly those specializing in wedding or fashion photography, as these can fall under high paying contract salary jobs due to the demand and specialized skills required.

5) Property Preservation Contractor:

The real estate industry is a great way to build wealth with little or no initial investment. It’s brilliant, and we think that it’s a great work to do as an independent contractor.

Almost wherever you go, you’ll see forsaken homes that require repair and care before they can be put on the market. Most homes have been foreclosed on.

Banks often hire independent contractors specializing in historic building restoration or offer contract roles with a fixed salary to avoid the hassle of property management.

6) Independent Contractor Merchandiser:

In merchandising, you may find employment with the firm or an outside agency. Although some businesses have their marketing teams, others contract with outside firms for assistance with more elaborate window displays.

A company specializing in one-off creative projects might be hired to design a storefront window show, which can sometimes fall under high paying contract salary jobs for creative professionals.

Career paths in merchandising may lead to roles in wholesale purchasing, store management, and other retail areas.

7) Social Media Manager:

A social media manager’s responsibility is to track and maintain the client’s profile across all social media platforms.

The more engagement they generate, the more visibility the business gets, which can eventually boost sales. For anyone stepping into this role, it’s not just about managing accounts; it’s also a great opportunity to earn some extra income while doing something creative and impactful.

8) Personal Trainer:

Maintaining physical fitness is essential, but not everyone can do it independently. One need not be a professional athlete to assist others in reaching their fitness objectives. Many personal trainers also work under contract-based employment, which allows them flexibility and independence in choosing their clients and schedules.

You may concentrate on the more physical, muscle-building side of things, or you can help individuals become healthier by teaching them to eat better. In addition, you get to choose your coworkers and office space, making it very adaptable. Depending on their location and level of expertise, personal trainers might charge anywhere from $20 to $40 per hour.

9) Freelance Writer:

You might be living as a freelance writer in case you have a passion for writing. Both fiction and nonfiction authors might work as freelance writers. You could go to online websites and ask them if they have any opportunities for freelance writing.

Freelance writing is among the best-paying work-from-home opportunities, as businesses increasingly recognize the value of delivering informative and engaging content to their customers.

10) Web Developer:

Designing websites is one of the most lucrative at-home occupations. As a website designer, you can work with a wide range of organizations, from NGOs to tech startups.

Many professionals even balance it as part of salaried jobs with freelance work, giving them both stability and flexibility. Employers often look for skills in areas like Adobe Illustrator, User Experience Design, and Cascading Style Sheets, making these valuable assets to stand out in the field.

If you’re a web developer working at an organization, you might need a real paycheck stub generator to build your pay stubs for proof of income purposes, like loan applications.

11) Search Engine Optimization Expert:

The core responsibility of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is to improve a website’s visibility in search results by creating fresh content and refining existing material. 

While larger companies may hire an SEO specialist full-time, many professionals take on contract roles with a fixed salary, often managing projects for multiple businesses at once. This flexibility allows them to bring expertise to different industries while maintaining a steady income.

12) Virtual Beauty Expert:

The interest in working as a virtual beauty expert in cosmetics and personal care that is worldwide experience, is a great time to consider becoming one. Advising on skincare and cosmetics is the perfect path to boost a customer’s self-assurance.

13) Real Estate Agent:

A real estate agent’s commission on the sale or purchase of a house can range from one percent to three percent or more before taxes. For instance, selling a property worth $300,000 could mean earnings of at least $3,000.

Getting a real estate license usually takes just four to six weeks, though the timeline may vary by state. One of the biggest perks of this career is the flexibility it offers in terms of scheduling and choosing clients, making it one of the high paying contract salary jobs for those who enjoy independence and people-oriented work.

14) Tour Guide:

You can work for a firm that offers tour guide services and earn the average salary mentioned above, or you can branch out on your own as an independent guide and potentially earn even more.

Tour guides have the flexibility to conduct experiences in different ways—whether it’s driving customers around in a van, leading them on foot, or even showing them the sights on a trolley. In fact, this career path is one of those salary and contract hybrid jobs, giving you both steady income opportunities and the freedom to work independently

15) House Cleaner:

If cleaning is something you’re good at, why not turn it into a career? You could work with a cleaning company for a steady income or start your own business and watch your earnings grow. Independent home cleaners often make $25 an hour or more, and the flexibility of being your own boss is a huge perk. To succeed in this field, all you really need is a keen eye for detail, efficiency, and a strong work ethic.

Generate pay stubs using the real paycheck stub generator.

How to find an salary jobs that have contract work?

No matter your background, whether you’re self-taught, have a degree, are just starting, or even hold a doctorate, there are plenty of well-paying work-from-home opportunities available through top independent contractor companies.

You can easily find the best high-paying salary jobs that have contract work near you or online, with freelance gigs, short-term contracts, and temporary positions listed across popular job boards and marketplaces.

• Upwork is one of the leading platforms for remote work, giving freelancers the freedom to choose from thousands of projects and take control of their careers without leaving home. 
• Similarly, Indeed’s search tool makes it simple to filter jobs by keyword, location, including fully remote roles, and job title, so that you can zero in on the right fit. 
• LinkedIn is another powerful resource, where companies frequently post openings, and you can even set alerts to get notified when a role that matches your interests becomes available.

Contract vs Salary jobs:

Factors	Contractor	Salary
Employment Type	Temporary	Permanent
Benefits	No benefits	Include benefits such as healthcare
Flexibility	High flexibility	Low flexibility
Payment Method	Paid hourly	Fixed monthly
Workload	Varies depending on contract	Steady and consistent
Job Security	Less secure	Highly secured with long-term stability
Earning Potential	Can be higher with multiple contracts	Predictable earning

Salary and contract hybrid jobs 

Salary and contract hybrid positions are a great way to have the best of both worlds – the stability of a regular job and the flexibility of contract work. It is possible to have a guaranteed monthly or yearly salary while maintaining the liberty to work as a freelancer with your current employer or a different company.

Features of Hybrid Jobs

• Stable Income: The individual earns a reliable salary.

• Flexibility: You can work on side projects.

• Skill Growth: Exposure to both project-based work and structured work.

• Customized Models: Firms might offer complete flexibility based on the job role.

• Committing Time: Less travel commits to increased efficiency.

Examples of Salary and Contract Hybrid Jobs

• Web Designers: Full-time salary with freelance website projects.

• Consultants: Paid a salary by the organization but free to handle external clients.

• IT Professionals: Full-time employees who manage contract-based technology projects.

FAQs

1) What independent contractor job makes the most money?

Construction workers and building inspectors usually make a total salary of approximately $62,000. Consequently, they are among the highest-paid independent contractors in the construction field. Still, this type of work is usually not suitable for beginners in the profession.

2) Which industry has the best contract roles with fixed salary?

Industries that include information technology, healthcare, construction, and finance are usually the ones to offer the most lucrative contract jobs with a predetermined salary. The major dependence on highly skilled professionals for specific projects is what leads these industries to offer regular payment and long-term contracts.

3) Is it better to be an independent contractor or an employee?

Independent Contractor: You have more flexibility, control over projects, and the potential to earn higher pay. However, you are responsible for your own taxes, insurance, and benefits.

Employee: You receive a steady paycheck, job security, and employer-provided benefits like health insurance, paid leave, and retirement plans. The trade-off is less flexibility and autonomy compared to contractors.

Key Takeaways

In today’s evolving job market, flexibility and stability can go hand in hand. From healthcare and IT to creative fields and consulting, there are plenty of salaried jobs that have contract work, giving professionals the chance to enjoy a steady income while still benefiting from the independence and variety of contract-based projects.