Best paying freelance tech project manager jobs in 2025 be like…

As the owner of a tech recruitment agency, I’m often asked about earning potential in the contracting world.  And understandably so!

Contracting in IT (or “freelancing” as a techie as some prefer it) offers lucrative opportunities, greater flexibility than if you’re full-time, and arguably more of a chance to work on exciting projects across industries.

Why freelancing or contracting as a tech PM appeals

For tech project managers, in particular, contracting is a career path that not only rewards experience but also reflects a pretty consistent market demand for strong leadership and delivery skills.

So, let’s break it down, writes Ben Broughton, managing director of Primis -- how much can you earn as a contract project manager in IT, and what factors influence your earning potential?

Put another way, the best-paying freelance tech manager jobs in 2025 (if these final days of 2024 are anything to go by) ‘be like’ the below!

Current project manager pay and day rates in UK Tech

In 2024, day rates for contract Project Managers typically range from £400 to £750 a day.

However, for niche expertise or senior-level roles, rates can go as high as £850+ a day.

Be cautious with these pay packet estimates, however!

Top four factors influencing project manager contractor pay

In fact, these daily rate figures for PMs can vary depending on factors such as:

1.       Industry or sector;

2.       Geographical location;

3.       Project complexity;

4.       Specific skill set as a project manager.

Project manager day rates by sector or industry: four quick examples

1. Technology and Software Development: £550-£800/day

2. Financial Services: £500-£850/day (N.B. Complex regulatory projects tend to pay at the higher end)

3. Construction and Infrastructure: £450-£750/day

4. Public Sector: £400-£600/day (Be aware, PM rates are often capped due to IR35 regulations, in force since April 6th 2017)

After industry, what factors influence tech freelancer project manager pay the most?

Ranked in order of influence (starting with the most influential), here are the remaining three factors that determine how much a freelance or contract project manager with IT skills can earn -- with a few related factors to give the full picture:

1. Your specific PM skill set: experience and certification

• Junior Project Managers (2–5 years of experience) typically earn £400-£500 per day.

• Mid-Level Project Managers (5–10 years of experience) command rates between £500-£650 per day.

• Senior Project Managers (10+ years of experience) or those with certifications like PRINCE2, PMP, or Agile qualifications, command premiums of £650-£850 per day-- or more.

2. Industry specialisation and/or a niche

Related to your specific skill set, we’re seeing that project managers with expertise in high-demand industries like fintech, cybersecurity, or AI, earn an additional premium.

For example, managing projects that involve migrating systems to the cloud, or implementing AI-driven technologies, can boost day rates (outlined in the section above ‘1’) by a significant percentage.

3. Geography

Location still has a notable impact on day rates:

• London: £550-£850/day

• Regional hubs (Manchester, Birmingham): £450-£700/day

• Remote projects: £500-£750/day (By their nature, remote projects are often ‘location-agnostic’ in which case the pay rate will depend more on project scope).

4. Contract length and complexity

Short-term contracts (3-6 months) that require “immediate” project management skills, expertise, or consultancy, often pay more per day than longer engagements.

Similarly, and relevant to “project scope” (outlined above, in ‘3’), complex transformation projects, such as ERP implementations, or large-scale regulatory compliance initiatives, can push your daily PM rate to the upper bracket.

5. IR35 status

IR35 and the Off-Payroll Working (OPW) rules impact earnings for UK-based contractors.

Being “Outside IR35” permits the contractor to not only work through their own limited company but to do so in a way which can be tax-efficient and therefore result in optimal take-home pay.

Conversely, “Inside IR35” roles tend to see comparatively reduced take-home due to PAYE and National Insurance deductions being automatic, even if a limited company (also known as a personal service company) is used to provide project management services.

Please note, although “IR35 status” is listed here as the fifth out of five factors (after the primary factor of sector/industry) influencing project manager pay, it has the potential to dent take-home pay more than any other factor.

Is contracting in 2025 worth it for project managers, despite IR35/OPW rules?

Of course! But it does depend on your individual career goals and appetite for flexibility as well as risk.

Contracting offers higher earning potential than permanent roles, where salaries for project managers typically range from £50,000 to £90,000 annually.

However, freelancing as a PM in the UK tech sector comes with trade-offs, such as less job security and the need to manage your taxes, pensions, and benefits, especially if you wish to operate as a project manager on an outside IR35 basis.

Why tech-reliant UK plc turns to contractor PMs…

From our perspective, the demand for contract project managers has soared thanks to businesses needing flexible, highly skilled professionals who can hit the ground running in leading and coordinating a set of technology-dependent tasks.

Whether it's delivering a critical project on time or navigating complex stakeholder environments, contractors and freelancers bring to organisations IT project management expertise without the long-term commitment of full-time, permanent members of staff.

Four tips to maximise IT contract project manager pay in 2025/26

1. Upskill continuously: Certifications like Scrum Master, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), or a deeper understanding of Agile methodologies, can boost your market value.

2. Specialise in high-demand areas: For instance, digital transformation, cloud migration, and regulatory compliance projects are among the ‘hot’ areas for 2025/26.

3. Build a strong network: Leveraging relationships with recruiters, past clients, and peers can open doors to higher-paying PM contracts.

4. Negotiate smartly, and in the round: Ensure you know the market rate for your skills and location. It’s not just about the rate. Consider contract length, potential IR35 impacts, and related, your ability to claim expenses.

What freelancers will be 2025’s best project managers?

In my experience, the most successful contract project managers are those who stay adaptable, embrace continuous learning, and position themselves as solution-oriented professionals.

Understanding the ins and outs of the market -- including IR35 -- while staying ahead of industry trends will ensure you maximise your career and earning potential.