Hire SQL Developer? 9 Best Sites to Hire SQL Developers

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Updated:
June 29, 2024

Finding an experienced SQL (Structured Query Language) developer can be challenging if you aren’t sure where to look.

You know you’re looking for a cost-effective solution when it comes to hiring an experienced freelance SQL developer.

Perhaps you’re looking for a SQL developer who can:

  1. Work as a SQL server database administrator (DBA) with SQL databases like Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server (MS SQL) and MySQL.
  2. Work with ASP, ASP.NET, JavaScript, Python, PHP, PL/SQL, and T-SQL.
  3. Help with maintenance and optimization of existing ETL, data integration, data warehouse, and analytic systems.
  4. Work on front-end and back-end development.
  5. Help with data management and data analysis.

We’ve gathered some of the best sites that help you hire SQL developers. These sites range from highly vetted to exceptionally flexible, so you can be sure you find the freelancer who will fit best with your team.

9 Best Sites for Hiring SQL Programmers

1. Toptal

Toptal

A great place to find SQL developers is Toptal. They are an exclusive network for freelancers in several fields, including software development.

Their highly selective application process makes it easier for entrepreneurs to hire quickly and with more certainty, guaranteeing that they recruit experienced freelancers to their team. 

They continuously test and evaluate their freelancers so you can be sure that the person you’re working with has received positive feedback from other clients and maintains their level of excellence in their field as they continue to work.

Additionally, Toptal offers a two-week “risk-free” trial period where entrepreneurs and business owners can work with the freelancer without making any commitment to pay upfront. 

If you are dissatisfied with the experience, there will be no questions asked, and you can choose a different freelancer to work with.

Learn More:

  1. Go to Toptal.
  2. Read our Toptal Review.
  3. Find Toptal Alternatives.

2. OnlineJobs.ph

OnlineJobs.ph

OnlineJobs.ph is a platform where you can outsource your SQL development work with a freelancer from the Philippines. This allows you to find exceptional talent at a fraction of the cost of sourcing work within the United States or Europe.

As an employer, you have the option to either post a job or browse compatible resumes. You can also choose to lead the hiring process directly or pay for a recruitment service through the site.

There are several different pricing options to choose from, so you can select the pricing that works for you. There is an option for a free account as well, but it comes with certain limitations. You won’t be able to communicate with clients until your account is upgraded.

Learn More:

  1. Go to OnlineJobs.ph.
  2. Read our OnlineJobs.ph Review.
  3. Find OnlineJobs.ph Alternatives.

3. Fiverr

Fiverr

Fiverr is one of the most popular freelance job sites on the market. They advertise thousands of freelancers in varying levels of expertise in several niches. Finding an SQL developer will not be challenging with their unique interface.

However, it can be challenging to find quality workers with many years of experience. Fiverr is open to all levels of expertise, so it can take some digging to find the freelancer that will best suit your job. 

You have the option of searching the job listings that freelancers post to see if any align with your needs, or you can create your listing and vet potential employees that way. The great thing about Fiverr is that it is cost-effective, and with proper searching, you can find great quality at a low price.

Fiverr also has a service called Fiverr Pro that vets talent from its freelancers to eliminate the process of testing freelancers before hiring or paying upfront without any certainty of their work quality.

Learn More:

  1. Go to Fiverr.
  2. Read our Fiverr Review.
  3. Find Fiverr Alternatives.

4. Stack Overflow Jobs

Stack Overflow Jobs

Stack Overflow Jobs is one of the largest websites in the world. It’s a job board site where employers can post their job listings for users to apply for. A single listing could see hundreds of applicants, which is both exciting and challenging.

Employers will have to sift through each application to find the perfect fit. Furthermore, there are no tests or other vetting requirements for its freelancers.

Stack Overflow Jobs is, however, a wonderful place to find remote developers. It’s as simple as posting a job listing and checking out the applicant's resumes and credentials. This company specializes in tech, web development, and software, so it’s an excellent place to search for potential employees.

Learn More:

  1. Go to Stack Overflow Jobs.

5. Triplebyte

Triplebyte

Triplebyte is an online screening and recruitment platform for software engineers. It hosts some of the most talented freelancing webmasters on its platform thanks to its highly selective recruitment process.

Freelancers must complete quizzes, phone screenings, and online coding challenges before they're accepted to work on the platform. That said, the prices for freelance services tend to be steeper than that of other freelance job sites.

Triplebyte searches for engineers in the top 1% when it comes to talent. Thus, costs for their services are higher and may not be affordable for smaller businesses and startups. However, their extensive hiring process is sure to promise that you receive quality work from their experienced users.

Learn More:

  1. Go to Triplebyte.
  2. Read our Triplebyte Review.
  3. Find Triplebyte Alternatives.

6. Lemon.io

Lemon.io

Lemon.io promises swift results when finding a freelance SQL developer for your team. The site specializes in letting on the best in tech and software programming. Freelancers who choose to join Lemon.io are vetted through tests and interviews to ensure they meet the right skill sets for any job.

When looking for a potential employee through Lemon.io, you can rest assured that you'll find the right person for the job faster than you would anywhere else. Lemon.io boasts a 24-hour response guarantee, meaning you'll be able to hire a freelancer as soon as possible.

They do this by using the job description and requirements on your listing to match it to their freelancers' skill sets. You can then review the freelancer that their algorithm has chosen and decide whether you wish to move forward or continue looking. 

Learn More:

  1. Go to Lemon.io.
  2. Read our Lemon.io Review.
  3. Find Lemon.io Alternatives.

7. Gigster

Gigster

Gigster is unique in that instead of pairing you with a single freelancer for your project, they pair your project with an entire team of software engineers. Projects like AI, app development, UX/UI, and SQL are all services offered by Gigster.

To get a team to work on your project, you'll reach out to Gigster using their contact form, and you'll be matched to one of their team members. You'll describe your project goals and ideas to this manager, and they will formulate a team of experts to carry out the project for you.

While there isn't much room for control over the team, you can communicate with them to ensure the project meets your expectations. However, one of the downsides to Gigster is the cost. Their services can be pricey for small businesses, which can deter some employers.

Learn More:

  1. Go to Gigster.
  2. Read our Gigster Review.
  3. Find Gigster Alternatives.

8. X-Team

X-Team

X-Team is unique in that it specifically hires freelance developers. If you require an experienced SQL developer, this is a good place to start. 

The hiring process freelancers must partake in to join the X-Team is rigorous and extensive. The company looks at past performance, resume and offers specific tests for the freelancer to accomplish. 

X-Team acts as a middle-man between you and the developers you aim to hire. Joining the employer network is as simple as inputting your information and describing the project you wish the freelancer to accomplish.

An X-Team manager will then look at your job description and search for a developer who meets all of your qualifications, eliminating the vetting process for you.

However, a few things to consider are that this site will expect higher costs than others. Additionally, X-Team has a required minimum for contracts. They prefer at least a three months work guarantee for their freelancers and favor longer projects.

Learn More:

  1. Go to X-Team.
  2. Read our X-Team Review.
  3. Find X-Team Alternatives.

9. Upwork

Upwork

Upwork is the largest freelancing platform to date, with over 14 million users. Similar to Fiverr, however, Upwork does not always guarantee quality freelancers. 

While the ample amount of freelancers offers a breadth of potential workers to choose from, it can be hard to know whether or not you will be signing on an experienced user who will deliver quality.

This is especially important to consider when searching for an SQL developer, as strategic topics such as developing and coding require some framework of expertise. Vetting the potential freelancers is equally challenging as there is no required testing for applying to or submitting a job.

Learn More:

  1. Go to Upwork.
  2. Read our Upwork Review.
  3. Find Upwork Alternatives.

How to Hire an SQL Developer

Hiring an SQL developer can be a challenging process if you aren't sure where to look. You’ll have to vet accordingly if the site you’re using for hire doesn’t already do so. After all, you want a developer that knows their way around complex SQL queries.

You can pay more for services to do the vetting for you, which will save you time. Or, you can come up with tests and interviews that will enable you to not only find an expert in the field but also a good communicator.

Whichever route you choose, it's important to consider the future of your business and the benefits of adding this person to your team.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hiring a Freelance SQL Developer

Here are the most common questions that people ask when looking to hire an SQL developer.

What is an SQL developer?

An SQL developer is a person who creates a database and makes SQL queries using a special SQL program. They typically conduct CRUD operations and fix errors related to database performance. 

What should I know when hiring an SQL developer?

When hiring an SQL developer from a freelancing site, you should consider the past performance and quality of the person you want to hire. While some freelancing sites do the vetting for you, this is not the case for all of them.

Hiring developers on sites with rigorous tests will offer higher quality results but often come at a steep price. You should be aware of the type of candidate you want for any given project and vet accordingly.

Where can I hire an SQL developer for my project?

Many freelancing sites offer amazing opportunities for hiring an SQL developer. It namely comes down to quantity and quality. If you're looking for a full team, for example, you may be interested in X-Team. On the other hand, if you want one solid employee for your project, Triplebyte or Toptal might be perfect for you.

How much does it cost to hire an SQL developer?

The cost of hiring an SQL developer varies greatly depending on the developer's experience and the platform you're using for hire. Other factors like scalability and the scope of the project also affect this cost.

You should expect a minimum of fifty dollars an hour for a decent SQL developer. However, prices for a full stack developer could go beyond one-hundred-fifty dollars per hour, depending on the above factors. For a single project, you could be looking at thousands of dollars.

Conclusion

While finding a promising freelance SQL developer can be challenging, several sites offer outstanding opportunities for you to expand your team with full-time or part-time help. Remember to consider the cost-benefits of using higher-end job boards. 

Of course, many freelancers are active for lower wages on broader job-seeking platforms, which gives you a grand selection for your next teammate. Either way, with strong focus and patience, you're likely to find the perfect fit for your next project.

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We Examined 9 Websites to Hire a SQL Developer

Information accurate from public sources as of 07.07.2020

Freelance Platform

Our Review

Trustpilot Reviews

G2 Reviews

Facebook Reviews

Toptal

Read Our Toptal Review
4.7 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 1,140

3.8 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 5

4.0 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 106

Codeable

Read Our Codeable Review
4.7 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 221

4.5 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 1

4.6 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 132

Triplebyte

Read Our Triplebyte Review
4.9 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 216

5 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 4

N/A out of 5 stars

Ratings: N/A

Andela

Read Our Andela Review
N/A out of 5 stars

Ratings: N/A

N/A out of 5 stars

Ratings: N/A

4.9 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 209

Lemon

Read Our Lemon Review
4.8 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 59

4.9 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 17

N/A out of 5 stars

Ratings: N/A

Codementor

Read Our Codementor Review
4.4 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 38

4.3 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 2

Ratings: N/A

Gun.io

Read Our Gun.io Review
N/A out of 5 stars

Ratings: N/A

4.5 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 14

N/A out of 5 stars

Ratings: N/A

Gigster

Read Our Gigster Review
3.2 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 1

5 out of 5 stars

Ratings: 1

N/A out of 5 stars

Ratings: N/A

What is a typical hourly rate for a freelance SQL developer?

According to Toptal, SQL developers make an average of $35-$65 per hour.

Salary lists the average pay for a senior SQL developer as $43 per hour.

What is a typical hourly rate for a freelance SQL developer?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average rate for SQL developers in the United States is closer to $54 per hour.

What is a typical hourly rate for a freelance SQL developer?

How much do freelance SQL developers make in salary? What’s the average SQL developer salary in the USA?

According to Toptal, SQL developers make a salary of about $72,000 per year.

How much do freelance SQL developers make in salary?

Similarly, Glassdoor states that the average base pay for SQL developers is just over $81,000 per year.

How much do freelance SQL developers make in salary?

Some estimates, however, are higher. According to ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for a SQL developer is closer to $112,000 per year.

How much do freelance SQL developers make in salary?

What are some SQL developer skills you might consider looking for?


Here are 10 skills you might consider looking for in a SQL developer:

  1. T-SQL programming
  2. Microsoft SQL Server
  3. HTML and JavaScript
  4. Modern relational databases
  5. Code versioning tools (Git, Mercurial, SVN)
  6. Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
  7. SQL Server Reporting Services and SQL Server Analysis Services
  8. NoSQL\NewSQL databases
  9. Data technologies (Hadoop and Spark)
  10. Cloud services (Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure)


What are some SQL developer interview questions you might ask?

Here are 10 interview questions you might consider asking when hiring a SQL developer:

  1. What is SQL?
  2. Explain what a database is.
  3. What is DBMS?
  4. Explain what a RDBMS is and how it differs from a DBMS.
  5. Explain the difference between SQL and MySQL.
  6. What are tables and fields in SQL?
  7. What are Constraints?
  8. What is a primary key?
  9. What is a unique key?
  10. What are the types of joins? Explain each.

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