Freelancing statistics
59 statistics · 20 primary sources · data as of November 2026
Every figure below links to the institution that published it. Each was opened and checked by a human editor.
Section 01
More than one in four (28%) U.S. knowledge workers freelanced or worked independently in 2024, translating to more than 20 million individuals.
Upwork Research Institute (Future Workforce Index) · 2025 · Inaugural Future Workforce Index; survey of 3,000 U.S.-based skilled knowledge workers, Dec 2024–Feb 2025. · source
Skilled U.S. freelancers performing knowledge work earned a collective $1.5 trillion in 2024.
Upwork Research Institute (Future Workforce Index) · 2025 · Aggregate 2024 earnings of U.S. skilled knowledge workers who freelance, per inaugural Future Workforce Index. · source
There were an estimated 4.0 million independent professionals in the top 30 U.S. markets in 2023, earning $191 billion in revenue, up 2.4% and 6.1% respectively from 2022.
Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelance Economic Impact Report, 7th annual) · 2024 · Analysis of U.S. Census Bureau Nonemployer Statistics and other secondary data for creative, technical, and professional independent workers (26 NAICS codes). · source
1.5 million creative services freelancers (artists, video producers, writers, performers, and sound professionals) represent 22% of U.S. independent workers and 16% of independent-worker revenues.
Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelancer Economic Impact Report) · 2025 · Annual report analyzing U.S. Census Bureau Nonemployer Statistics datasets 2013–2023, with 2024 estimates. · source
The number of independent content creators in the U.S. jumped 13% in 2025 to 10.1 million, after a plateau in 2023.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · 15th annual State of Independence survey fielded April 2025. · source
The global online gig workforce is estimated at 154 million to 435 million workers, representing 4.4% to 12.5% of the global labor force.
World Bank (Working Without Borders: The Promise and Peril of Online Gig Work) · 2023 · Mixed-methods estimate combining web-scraping data science (154M unique registered workers) and a 17-country survey (up to 435M including secondary/marginal workers). · source
The gig economy spans 545 online gig work platforms with workers and clients located in 186 countries.
World Bank (Working Without Borders) · 2023 · First mapping to include local and regional platforms, not just global platforms; low- and middle-income countries account for 40% of traffic to gig platforms. · source
Self-employment in the EU fell from 15.4% of total employment in 2010 to 13.7% in 2022.
Eurofound (Self-employment in the EU: Job quality and developments in social protection) · 2024 · Research report published 30 January 2024, based on EU Labour Force Survey data for EU27. · source
The share of self-employed workers in the EU was 12.9% in 2024, with 28.3 million self-employed workers aged 15 and over.
Eurofound (European Working Conditions Survey 2024, Overview report) · 2024 · EU-LFS based figures for working-age population (15–64); only Greece has a self-employment share above 20% of total employment. · source
Section 02
Gen Z now makes up 28% of the U.S. independent workforce.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · 15th annual State of Independence study, fielded April 2025. · source
In 2023, 52% of all U.S. Gen Z professionals and 44% of Millennial professionals performed freelance work, compared to 30% of Gen X and 26% of Boomers.
Upwork Research Institute (Freelance Forward 2023) · 2023 · Edelman DXI survey of 3,000 U.S. working adults; cohort participation rates. · source
Of all U.S. freelancers in 2023, 15% were Gen Z, 45% Millennials, 27% Gen X, 9% Boomers, and 4% Silent Generation.
Upwork Research Institute (Freelance Forward 2023) · 2023 · Generational composition of the 2023 U.S. freelance workforce. · source
37% of skilled U.S. freelancers hold postgraduate degrees, compared to just 20% of full-time employees.
Upwork Research Institute (Future Workforce Index) · 2025 · Survey of 3,000 U.S. skilled knowledge workers, Dec 2024–Feb 2025. · source
53% of skilled U.S. Gen Z workers already freelanced in 2024.
Upwork Research Institute (Future Workforce Index) · 2025 · Gen Z is leading the shift toward independent knowledge work, per inaugural Future Workforce Index. · source
Among freelancers surveyed by Fiverr in 2024, 51% identify as female and 49% as male.
Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelance Economic Impact Report 2024) · 2024 · Survey of U.S. freelancers combined with internal survey of Fiverr platform freelancers; 601 completed Fiverr seller surveys, Feb 2024. · source
Three in ten (29%) U.S. freelancers hold a permanent job in addition to their freelance work.
Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelance Economic Impact Report 2024) · 2024 · Share of surveyed U.S. independent workers holding permanent jobs alongside freelance work. · source
57 million Americans freelanced in 2019, representing 35% of the U.S. workforce.
Upwork & Freelancers Union (Freelancing in America 2019) · 2019 · Edelman Intelligence survey of 6,001 U.S. working adults (2,117 freelancers), Jun 7–Jul 3, 2019; historical baseline for trend comparison. · source
Women make up 42% of online gig workers globally, higher than their 39.7% share of the global labor force.
World Bank (Working Without Borders), reported by Upwork · 2023 · World Bank analysis of online gig work participation by gender versus general labor market participation. · source
Section 03
Skilled U.S. freelancers who earn exclusively through freelance work report a median income of $85,000, surpassing full-time employees' median of $80,000.
Upwork Research Institute (Future Workforce Index) · 2025 · Median income comparison from survey of 3,000 U.S. skilled knowledge workers, Dec 2024–Feb 2025. · source
A record 5.6 million U.S. independent workers earned more than $100,000 in 2025, a 19% increase from 4.7 million in 2024 and nearly double the 3 million in 2020.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · In 2011, when the study began, 1.9 million independents earned six figures; typical U.S. worker salary is approximately $66,000. · source
59% of U.S. independent workers say they earn more working independently than in traditional employment.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · Self-reported earnings comparison vs. traditional employment, 2025 study. · source
Independent professionals in the top 30 U.S. markets earned on average $48,288 in 2023, $4,334 more than the total U.S. average of $43,954.
Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelance Economic Impact Report 2024) · 2024 · Average earnings comparison between top-30 markets and the U.S. overall for independent professionals. · source
Four in ten (38%) U.S. independent workers raised their rates in 2023, and half (49%) expected to raise them within the following six months.
Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelance Economic Impact Report 2024) · 2024 · Rate-change behavior among surveyed U.S. independent workers in 2023. · source
In 2024, freelancers in Las Vegas had the highest average earnings of top-30 U.S. markets at $62,083, while Minneapolis had the lowest at $38,871 — a 60% gap.
Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelancer Economic Impact Report) · 2025 · Nashville ($61,569) and Los Angeles ($61,303) ranked second and third; top-30 market average was $52,002. · source
Female freelancers earned an average of $22 per hour in 2022 data versus $24 per hour for men — 92 cents for every $1 earned by men.
Payoneer (2023 Freelancer Insights Report, 5th edition) · 2023 · Survey of over 2,000 freelancers across 122 countries, all Payoneer customers; women were ~30% of respondents and 8% less likely to have raised rates. · source
38% of freelancers worldwide reported an increase in hourly rates over the past year, while only 15% saw rates decrease.
Payoneer (2023 Freelancer Insights Report) · 2023 · Self-reported rate changes among 2,000+ freelancers in 122 countries. · source
In response to the rising cost of living, 55% of freelancers took on more work, 41% raised their rates, and 32% expanded their client base to new countries.
Payoneer (2023 Freelancer Insights Report) · 2023 · Cost-of-living responses among 2,000+ freelancers across 122 countries. · source
The global average freelance hourly rate was $21 per hour in Payoneer's 2020 income survey of more than 7,000 freelancers.
Payoneer (2020 Freelancer Income Report) · 2020 · Global survey of 7,000+ freelancers; rate varies sharply by region and experience. · source
Section 04
42% of U.S. independent workers rely on digital platforms as their primary way of finding work.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · Key finding of the 15th annual study, fielded April 2025. · source
63% of U.S. independent service providers used online talent platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal in 2025, up from 59% in 2024 and 37% in 2020.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · Covers 11.5 million U.S. independent professional service providers working with businesses. · source
78% of independent service providers using online talent platforms considered them a primary or important source of business in 2025, up from 57% in 2020.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · Share of platform-using independents rating platforms as primary/important work source. · source
Independent service providers used an average of 3.1 online talent platforms in 2025, up from 2.6 platforms in 2020.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · Average number of talent platforms used per independent service provider. · source
77% of independent service providers using platforms say these platforms are essential to their business.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · Share of platform-using independents calling platforms essential. · source
32% of U.S. independent workers served global clients in 2025.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · Share of independents working with clients outside the U.S. · source
Nine in ten (92%) independent contractors report having either a lot of choice (53%) or some choice (39%) about the organizations they work with, up from 80% in 2019.
MBO Partners (2025 Client of Choice Report) · 2025 · Among $100K+ earners the share rises to 99% (58% a lot of choice, 41% some choice). · source
Use of private talent platforms among U.S. independents nearly tripled from 9% in 2020 to 24% in 2025.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · 6% now call private platforms their primary source of business, with another 14% calling them important. · source
Fiverr had 3.9 million active buyers as of Q2 2024, with spend per buyer reaching $290, up 10% year over year.
Fiverr International (Q2 2024 results) · 2024 · Company-disclosed marketplace metrics; active buyers down 8% from 4.2 million in Q2 2023 while per-buyer spend rose. · source
Section 05
86% of U.S. independent workers report being happier than their traditionally employed peers.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · 2025 key finding; 84% say they are happier in absolute terms while 59% say they earn more. · source
67% of U.S. independent workers feel more secure and 73% are optimistic about their careers.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · 2025 key findings on security perception and career optimism. · source
63% of U.S. independent workers say working independently is fully their choice.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · Share of independents describing independence as fully by choice rather than necessity. · source
98% of independent contractors are either very satisfied (44%) or satisfied (54%) with their client relationships; only 1% are dissatisfied.
MBO Partners (2025 Client of Choice Report) · 2025 · Client-relationship satisfaction among U.S. independent contractors. · source
Only 10% of skilled freelancers want to return to traditional employment.
Upwork Research Institute (Future Workforce Index) · 2025 · Versus 36% of full-time employees considering a switch to freelancing. · source
51% of U.S. freelancers in 2019 said no amount of money would convince them to take a traditional job.
Upwork & Freelancers Union (Freelancing in America 2019) · 2019 · Survey of 6,001 U.S. working adults; historical attitudinal benchmark. · source
For the first time in 2019, as many U.S. freelancers viewed freelancing as a long-term career as viewed it as temporary — 50% each.
Upwork & Freelancers Union (Freelancing in America 2019) · 2019 · Freelancing in America 2019 key takeaway on career perception. · source
More independent workers focused exclusively on freelancing in 2023, rising to 71% from 64% in 2022 and 61% in 2021.
Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelance Economic Impact Report 2024) · 2024 · Share of surveyed U.S. freelancers freelancing exclusively; 57% among Fiverr U.S. sellers, up from 52%. · source
36% of traditional U.S. employees now report having side gigs, and nearly half worry about job loss.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · Traditional-worker attitudes toward independent work as backup plan or gateway. · source
Section 06
Over 85% of U.S. freelancers say the best days are ahead for freelancing.
Upwork Research Institute (Freelance Forward 2023) · 2023 · Freelancer optimism measure from the 10th annual Freelance Forward study. · source
84% of skilled freelancers (and 77% of full-time employees) believe freelancing's best days are ahead.
Upwork Research Institute (Future Workforce Index) · 2025 · Optimism comparison between freelancers and full-time employees. · source
82% of skilled freelancers report more work opportunities than a year ago, compared to just 63% of full-time employees.
Upwork Research Institute (Future Workforce Index) · 2025 · Perceived opportunity growth, inaugural Future Workforce Index. · source
Nearly 80% of U.S. independent workers plan to remain independent or grow their business.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · Long-term intent among independents; independence described as durable, chosen trajectory. · source
74% of U.S. independent workers use AI, and 61% say it saves time and increases output.
MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) · 2025 · AI adoption and productivity perception among independents. · source
Freelancers were 2.2 times more likely than non-freelance professionals to regularly use generative AI in 2023: 20% of freelancers versus 9% of non-freelancers.
Upwork Research Institute (Freelance Forward 2023) · 2023 · Regular use = multiple times per week; ≈12.8 million freelancers used generative AI regularly. · source
54% of skilled freelancers report advanced AI proficiency compared to 38% of full-time employees, and 29% have extensive experience building, training, and fine-tuning ML models versus 18% of FTEs.
Upwork Research Institute (Future Workforce Index) · 2025 · AI proficiency comparison, inaugural Future Workforce Index. · source
40% of U.S. freelancers used AI tools, software, or platforms as part of their freelance work in 2023, saving an average of 8.1 hours per week.
Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelance Economic Impact Report 2024) · 2024 · AI usage highest among technical-service independents (47%), Gen Z (56%), and Millennials (47%). · source
Gross services volume for AI-related work on Upwork grew 60% year over year in 2024, with more than 12,000 U.S. AI specialists on the platform.
Upwork Inc. (Future Workforce Index announcement) · 2025 · Platform-level demand signal for AI-equipped freelance talent. · source
statfern. "Freelancing Statistics 2026." Published 2026-11-13. https://statfern.com/freelancing-statistics/
The primary sources behind this report. We link to the page where each figure appears.
| 01 | Upwork Research Institute (Freelance Forward 2023) | Edelman Data & Intelligence survey of 3,000 U.S. working adults (1,142 freelancers), fielded Oct 24–Nov 9, 2023; share based on total U.S. civilian labor force of 168 million. | View source → |
| 02 | MBO Partners (State of Independence in America, 15th annual) | Annual survey fielded April 2025, weighted to U.S. demographics; 15th consecutive year of the study. | View source → |
| 03 | MBO Partners (State of Independence), reported by Upwork | MBO Partners State of Independence research on U.S. independent workforce, cited in Upwork's gig economy statistics resource. | View source → |
| 04 | Upwork Research Institute (Future Workforce Index) | Inaugural Future Workforce Index; survey of 3,000 U.S.-based skilled knowledge workers, Dec 2024–Feb 2025. | View source → |
| 05 | Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelance Economic Impact Report, 7th annual) | Analysis of U.S. Census Bureau Nonemployer Statistics and other secondary data for creative, technical, and professional independent workers (26 NAICS codes). | View source → |
| 06 | Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelancer Economic Impact Report) | Annual report analyzing U.S. Census Bureau Nonemployer Statistics datasets 2013–2023, with 2024 estimates. | View source → |
| 07 | MBO Partners (State of Independence in America) | 15th annual State of Independence survey fielded April 2025. | View source → |
| 08 | World Bank (Working Without Borders: The Promise and Peril of Online Gig Work) | Mixed-methods estimate combining web-scraping data science (154M unique registered workers) and a 17-country survey (up to 435M including secondary/marginal workers). | View source → |
| 09 | World Bank (Working Without Borders) | First mapping to include local and regional platforms, not just global platforms; low- and middle-income countries account for 40% of traffic to gig platforms. | View source → |
| 10 | Eurofound (Self-employment in the EU: Job quality and developments in social protection) | Research report published 30 January 2024, based on EU Labour Force Survey data for EU27. | View source → |
| 11 | Eurofound (European Working Conditions Survey 2024, Overview report) | EU-LFS based figures for working-age population (15–64); only Greece has a self-employment share above 20% of total employment. | View source → |
| 12 | Fiverr / Illuminas (Freelance Economic Impact Report 2024) | Survey of U.S. freelancers combined with internal survey of Fiverr platform freelancers; 601 completed Fiverr seller surveys, Feb 2024. | View source → |
| 13 | Upwork & Freelancers Union (Freelancing in America 2019) | Edelman Intelligence survey of 6,001 U.S. working adults (2,117 freelancers), Jun 7–Jul 3, 2019; historical baseline for trend comparison. | View source → |
| 14 | World Bank (Working Without Borders), reported by Upwork | World Bank analysis of online gig work participation by gender versus general labor market participation. | View source → |
| 15 | Payoneer (2023 Freelancer Insights Report, 5th edition) | Survey of over 2,000 freelancers across 122 countries, all Payoneer customers; women were ~30% of respondents and 8% less likely to have raised rates. | View source → |
| 16 | Payoneer (2023 Freelancer Insights Report) | Self-reported rate changes among 2,000+ freelancers in 122 countries. | View source → |
| 17 | Payoneer (2020 Freelancer Income Report) | Global survey of 7,000+ freelancers; rate varies sharply by region and experience. | View source → |
| 18 | MBO Partners (2025 Client of Choice Report) | Among $100K+ earners the share rises to 99% (58% a lot of choice, 41% some choice). | View source → |
| 19 | Fiverr International (Q2 2024 results) | Company-disclosed marketplace metrics; active buyers down 8% from 4.2 million in Q2 2023 while per-buyer spend rose. | View source → |
| 20 | Upwork Inc. (Future Workforce Index announcement) | Platform-level demand signal for AI-equipped freelance talent. | View source → |
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