How Many Hours Per Week is Freelance in Malaysia

Freelancing gives workers flexibility, but it can also make employers wonder on how many hours should freelancers actually work per week.

Unlike part-time employees, freelancers are self-employed professionals. They set their own hours, manage their own time, and are paid per project or deliverable, not by the hour (unless agreed in writing).

In this article, we will share to you on how many hours per week is freelance work.

Average Working Hours for Freelancers

Freelancers don’t follow fixed legal limits like full-time or part-time employees under the Employment Act 1955. Instead, their hours depend on project demand, client workload, and personal time management.

Based on data from the Freelancermap 2025 Global Survey and Payoneer’s Freelancer Income Report, here’s the average range:

Most freelancers work 26-40 hours per week.
Part-time freelancers usually work under 30 hours weekly.
Full-time freelancers average 35-45 hours per week, similar to regular full-time employees.
During heavy workloads or deadlines, hours can extend up to 50 hours per week or even more for large projects.

Around 28% of freelancers work 40 hours per week, while 16% work between 46-50 hours. This shows that self-employed professionals often match or exceed standard employment hours.

Freelance Working Hours by Industry

Workload and time spent vary greatly depending on the industry or niche.

Writers & Copywriters (25-30 hours/week)

Most freelance writers handle multiple short-term projects such as articles, web copy, or blog posts. Their hours can rise during marketing campaigns or product launches.

Web Developers & Programmers (40-50 hours/week)

Freelance developers often work on long, complex projects that require consistent coding, testing, and revisions. Their workload can spike near delivery deadlines.

Graphic Designers (20-35 hours/week)

Design freelancers usually balance multiple clients. While creative work offers flexibility, revisions and design reviews can extend weekly hours.

Consultants (15-25 hours/week)

Freelance consultants, especially in business or HR, work fewer but high-value hours. Much of their time goes into research, virtual meetings, and strategy presentations.

Digital Marketers (30-40 hours/week)

Freelance marketers and SEO specialists often manage several client accounts. Their hours fluctuate depending on campaign schedules and reporting periods.

Factors That Affect Freelancer Working Hours

Freelancers’ schedules are highly individual, two people in the same industry might work completely different hours. Here are the main factors influencing workload and weekly time commitment:

Type of Project

Short-term assignments (like designing a poster) take fewer hours, while long-term collaborations (like website management or software development) demand ongoing work.

Client Demand

Busy seasons, such as festive promotions, year-end campaigns, or product launches, often lead to extended hours. Freelancers may work late nights to meet deadlines.

Work-Life Balance

One of the main reasons professionals choose freelancing is flexibility. Many deliberately limit their working hours to maintain balance, typically capping their week at around 30-35 hours.

Time Management Skills

Efficient freelancers can complete projects faster without compromising quality. Those who struggle with productivity or face frequent distractions may end up working longer hours to catch up.

Tools and Environment

Freelancers with good productivity systems (task trackers, automations, distraction-free setups) tend to reduce total working hours while maintaining high output.

Full-Time vs Contract Freelancers Working Hours (in Table)

Below is a simple comparison of how working hours differ between full-time freelancers and contract/project-based freelancers.

Type	Description	Typical Working Hours per Week
Full-Time Freelancers	Treat freelancing as their main income source. Handle multiple clients regularly.	35-45 hours (may exceed during deadlines)
Contract / Project Freelancers	Work per project or milestone. Often manage one or two clients at a time.	Under 30 hours (flexible schedules)

When hiring, confirm the freelancer’s typical availability and maximum weekly hours to avoid misunderstandings about delivery timelines.

Benefits, Bonuses, and Allowances for Freelancers

Freelancers are independent contractors, not employees. So, they don’t automatically receive statutory benefits like EPF, SOCSO, or EIS. However, employers can still make freelance engagements more attractive through fair compensation or optional incentives.

No Automatic Statutory Benefits

Unless written into the contract, freelancers do not receive paid leave, medical coverage, or bonuses. They are responsible for their own taxes and social contributions.

Project-Based Benefits or Incentives

Some companies voluntarily offer:

Completion bonuses for urgent or high-quality work
Expense reimbursements (e.g., internet, travel, or software)
Flexible perks such as milestone payments or recurring retainers

Clear Agreement in Writing

Employers should outline all such benefits or reimbursements clearly in the freelance contract to prevent confusion and supports transparency, especially for long-term freelance partnerships.

FAQs

1. Do freelancers have fixed working hours in Malaysia?

No. Freelancers manage their own schedules based on project deadlines and client requirements. Employers can request specific delivery dates but cannot enforce traditional working hours.

2. Are freelancers entitled to overtime pay or annual leave?

No. Since they are not employees, freelancers are paid per project or deliverable, not by fixed hours. Overtime and leave benefits do not apply unless agreed in the contract.

3. How can employers ensure timely delivery from freelancers?

Set clear milestones and deadlines at the start, communicate through one main platform, and use progress checkpoints. Paying in stages (e.g., 50% upfront, 50% upon completion) encourages accountability.

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