I started doing part time (15 hours per week) freelance work on odesk around a year and half back. I was working on a startup and we had almost run out of our savings. My starting rate was 10$ per hour . (am based out of india). Currently I charge 25-30 $ per hour. So, if you work full time i.e. 30+ hours per week on a freelance project you can make more than 1000 euros per month.
Now, its true as your hourly rates go up you will have fewer potential employers on odesk. But the few employers who are willing to pay your rate are looking for higher skilled devs. for example, the current project i am working on on odesk, we have some really really devs who are ex google guys, MIT grads etc. And they all work over odesk.
And in case you reach a point where you are not able to get employers over odesk at your hourly rate, you can use youur odesk profile as portfolio to attract potential clients outside odesk.
Thanks. I have a full-time job and am only looking to freelance here and there, and I've had a harder time getting rates anywhere near my full-time salary "rate". I've used it as a way to get into different types of technology and create a portfolio, instead of a real income. However, I won't spend my free time dealing with a difficult client for relatively low pay - I'd rather work on a personal project for free...
Now, its true as your hourly rates go up you will have fewer potential employers on odesk. But the few employers who are willing to pay your rate are looking for higher skilled devs. for example, the current project i am working on on odesk, we have some really really devs who are ex google guys, MIT grads etc. And they all work over odesk.
And in case you reach a point where you are not able to get employers over odesk at your hourly rate, you can use youur odesk profile as portfolio to attract potential clients outside odesk.