2026 Hourly Rate Report: What IT Freelancers Earn in the DACH Region

The Figures for 2026

The average hourly rate for IT freelancers in the DACH region in 2026 is 97 Euros – an increase of 4.3% compared to the previous year.

Top Earners

Freelancers in the areas of AI/ML (average 135 €/h), Cloud Architecture (125 €/h), and Cybersecurity (120 €/h) achieve the highest hourly rates. Classic web development is at 85 €/h.

Regional Differences

Zurich and Munich remain the most expensive markets. Interestingly: Due to remote normalization, the differences between urban and rural areas are slowly evening out.

Outlook

For 2027, analysts expect a continuation of moderate growth, driven by the ongoing shortage of skilled workers and the increasing demand for specialists.