50+ Freelance Statistics: Thrive in the New Economy

Freelancing is booming with a surge in people choosing flexible hours over traditional employment.

The popularity of remote work is only increasing according to freelance statistics. This is fueled by technological progress and the ability to link clients with freelancers worldwide.

Which in turn allows more people to do what they love on their own time without set hours.

• Is freelancing as great as everyone says?
• What are the real numbers like?
• Is freelancing everything it’s made out to be?

If you’re thinking about leaving your 9 to 5 job and having more flexible working hours it’s important to make sure it’s the right decision.

Here are the latest freelance statistics, facts and trends for the industry in 2023 and 2024.

Key Freelance Statistics

• There are now 73.3 million independent contractors in the United States as of 2023.
• Currently, there are more than 1.57 billion freelancers worldwide.
• According to the Freelancing in America research conducted by Upwork, 65% of freelancers in the United States are male.
• It’s common for freelancers to work from home, with around 86% doing so. (Though coffee shops are likewise popular.)
• According to a recent Gallup poll, 89% of freelancers like what they do.
• Overall, 47 % of freelancers said their health had improved.
• According to a recent survey of professional freelancers, one-quarter said they get their current job because of the flexibility.
• Around 80% of freelancers discover new work via their prior customers.
• In 2023, the United States had the most demand for freelancers, followed by the UK.
• The freelance sector accounts for almost 5% of the overall US GDP.
• According to a recent study, about 50% of all Generation Z workers are freelancers.

Definition of Freelancing

The term “freelancing” can have meanings for different people. The only requirement to be classified as a freelancer is being an individual who takes on jobs and responsibilities without being associated with any specific company or organization.

Current State of the Freelance Market

The freelance industry is going through an expansion with a noticeable increase in both the number of workers and their contributions to the economy.

Market size and growth

When it comes to market size and growth the global freelance market is steadily growing.

• There are now 73.3 million independent contractors in the United States as of 2023.
• 1.57 billion freelancers worldwide
• According to a study by Upwork, 38% of the American workforce freelance in 2023, up 2% from 2022.
• At the same time, those who did not work as freelancers increased by just 2%.
• According to a recent YouGov poll, 46% of respondents named freelancing one of their top five career goals. In other words, while most Americans still work full-time (54%), this proportion has increased by 17 % over the past four years.
• From 2021-to 2026, the worldwide freelancing platform market size is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 15.3%.
• Freelancing is on the rise. According to a recent survey, more than 40% of employees said they freelanced in 2019.
• 80% of individuals who’re not currently freelancers are now contemplating freelance work in the future.
• According to a recent survey, 68% of freelancers anticipate rising demand.
• By 2024 experts estimate that freelancers will earn an hourly fee of around $21 resulting in an average annual income of approximately $39,000 before taxes.
• Projections even suggest that by 2027 more than half of the U.S. Population could be involved in freelance work signifying a major shift from traditional employment models.
• The United States is an example of this growth as it boasts the largest freelancer market and has experienced substantial year on year revenue increases.

Freelancing Statistics Growth in 2023-2024

 

Number of freelance workers in the United States from 2014 to 2020(in millions)

Let’s look at what growth looks like in the future after we’ve had a taste of how popular freelancing has become and what it’s like to be a freelancer.

Overall, freelancing will only grow more popular shortly, and many freelancers are convinced about this.

If the past year’s growth indicates future years’ performance, it’s reasonable to anticipate that most freelancing industries will experience significant increases in employment and workers.

Here are what those numbers look like:

• According to a recent survey, 45% of the American workforce will freelance in 2020, up 13 % from 2013.
• At the same time, those who did not work as freelancers increased by just 2%.
• According to a recent YouGov poll, 46% of respondents named freelancing one of their top five career goals. In other words, while most Americans still work full-time (54%), this proportion has increased by 17 % over the past four years.
• From 2021-to 2026, the worldwide freelancing platform market size is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 15.3%.
• Freelancing is on the rise. According to a recent survey, more than 40% of employees said they freelanced in 2019.
• The current level of blockchain development could be attributed to this. Around 80% of non-freelancers are now considering freelancing in the future, according to a survey from Upwork and Freelancer. A large number of individuals that have left full-time jobs are turning to freelance work for extra income, according to Upwork and Freelancer.
• According to a recent survey, 68% of freelancers anticipate rising demand.
• According to the BLS, almost a quarter (23.6 %) of Americans began working as freelancers at the outbreak’s beginning.

Freelance Statistics By Income

Income trends and freelance income statistics in 2023. Professions that require the listed skills tend to have decent earning potential for freelancers. CNBC and other research sources have provided the following information regarding the rates and annual salaries, for popular freelance opportunities:

General freelance income statistics

• 20% of freelancers in the United States earn more than $75,000 per year.
• Male freelancers earn four times as much money than women.
• The freelance economy in the United States is dynamic, experiencing a 78% year over year revenue increase.
• On Upwork freelance writers can earn between $10 and $80 per hour with the majority earning around $25 per hour.
• Copywriters usually charge between $150 and $250 per hour although this may be somewhat uncommon.
• Over 65% of freelancers make more money compared to their old jobs.
• The median annual income for freelance web designers stands at $77,200.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization) professionals are another paid group of freelancers earning a yearly wage of approximately $59,871.
• Skilled service providers represent 45% of the freelance workforce. Boasts an hourly rate of, around $28 among the highest paying sectors.
• Throughout the pandemic freelancers have contributed an amount of $1.2 trillion to the U.S. Economy.

 

Freelance Platforms and Workplaces

The emergence of freelance platforms has brought about a transformation – in the world of work. These platforms have allowed individuals from all over the world to showcase and monetize their skills. Expanding to meet the increasing needs of a workforce that is becoming more decentralized.

Popular Freelance Platforms

According to research conducted by Upwork and Freelancers Union there is a trend towards freelancing.

It is projected that within the next ten years freelancers could make up the majority of the workforce in the United States. Online platforms like Upwork offer a range of job opportunities. Additionally, there are platforms like Toptal that focus on connecting professionals in the tech and finance fields as well as creative marketplaces such as Fiverr that cater to freelancers from various industries and skill levels.

• Upwork: Known for its broad spectrum of gigs, catering to various industries.
• Fiverr: Popular for quick gigs and creative services.
• Toptal: Selective platform focusing on top-tier technology and financial talent.

Here’s what the biggest freelancing platforms have to say.

Upwork

• More than 18 million people have joined Upwork as of 2023.
• Most professionals and certified specialists charge their own hourly or project rates, which they decide rather than a fixed rate like Fiverr.
• Upwork has earned $124.4 million and $2237.8 million in the previous two quarters.
• In 2023, Upwork revenue was from $665 million to $675 million.
• Upwork currently serves over 30% of Fortune 100 firms.

Freelancer.com

• Freelancer.com is the most popular website for freelance work, with over 31 million users.
• On Freelancer.com, there are over 1,800 distinct kinds of employment.
• The world’s largest freelancing network, Freelancer, reported a 39% increase in gross payment volume to $192.9 million in Q1 2021.
• Freelancer.com has become the outsourcing industry’s standard platform for professionals.

Fiverr

• In 2022, revenue was $337 million.
• More than 7 million people have joined Fiverr.
• Anyone can be a vendor on Fiverr, and most simple tasks cost $5.
• On Fiverr, a contract is signed every four seconds.
• Fiverr freelancers charge anywhere from $5 to $150 per hour.

 

Emerging Trends in Online Workspaces

Online workspaces are going through a transformation these days with a shift towards collaborative environments. Leading the charge in this evolution are platforms like Slack, Asana and Trello.

These platforms bring together communication and project management to support work processes.These tools assist freelancers in managing their projects but they also facilitate seamless collaboration between freelancers and clients.

Slack: With an user base of 32.3 million active users it has become a popular communication hub that connects freelancers and clients.

Trello: With over 90 million registered users Trello offers organized project tracking, which greatly enhances efficiency.

Asana: With 139,000 paying customers and millions of users spanning across, than 200 countries Asana is well known for its comprehensive project management capabilities and team collaboration tools.

Freelancer Demographics

The world of freelance work is incredibly diverse, encompassing people of all ages, educational backgrounds and areas of expertise.

Freelancing reflects a major shift in the job market dynamics.

Age Groups

Freelancers come from a range of age brackets with a presence of younger generations.

A study conducted by Deloitte reveals that Generation Z is particularly inclined towards work compared to employment indicating a generational preference for different career paths.

This younger age group is quickly adapting to the advancements in the freelance market.

Education Levels

The education levels among freelancers vary greatly.

A considerable portion of them possess formal education qualifications.

While specific statistics for 2024 are not readily available it is evident that many freelancers hold a bachelor’s degree, which equips them with the expertise to offer specialized services to their clients.

Fields and Specializations

h the transformation across industries certain fields and specializations have become prominent within the freelance market;

Computer Programming and IT: Freelancers with highly technical skills are in high demand as they offer services ranging from software development to cybersecurity.

Marketing: Roles that require creativity and strategic thinking in marketing, social media management and content creation are prevalent, among freelancers who assist businesses in enhancing their presence.

Consulting: Business consultants utilize their expertise to provide consulting services to companies aiming to enhance their operations and strategic approaches.

The wide range of specializations demonstrates the flexibility of freelancers, across industries making freelancing an lively part of the global economy.

Freelance Statistics By Country

According to country based freelance statistics. more than 42% of workers in the United Kingdom are engaged in freelance or part time work.

36% of workers in the United States are self employed.

Now let’s analyze deeper into the details regarding freelancers across countries.

The freelance industry has experienced a growth rate of 78% in the United States. 

Similarly freelance work is on the rise with growth rates of 59% and 48% in the United States and Brazil respectively.

Now let’s explore insights about the country that has recorded the year on year earning growth rates for freelancers.

1. United States: 78%
2. United Kingdom: 59%
3. Brazil: 48%
4. Pakistan: 47%
5. Ukrain:36%
6. Philippines: 35%
7. India: 29%
8. Bangladesh: 27%
9. Russia: 20%
10. Serbia: 19%

Source: Payoneer.

Growth Forecasts

The number of individuals working as freelancers in the United States is steadily increasing.

It is predicted that they may eventually become the majority. A recent report suggests that this transition could happen within the ten years, which highlights the growing appeal and feasibility of freelance work.

• It is projected that by 2027 freelancers will make up more than half (50.9%) of the workforce in the United States.
• Interestingly, a large majority of both non freelancers (79.2%) and current freelancers (88.5%) anticipate working as contractors or freelancers in their careers.
• Furthermore according to a majority of freelancers (91%) the future prospects for freelance work are quite promising.
• Estimations suggest that by 2028 over 90 million individuals will be part of the US freelance workforce, an increase from the 73.3 million American freelancers recorded in 2023.

Changing Roles and Industries

As the market evolves the variety of opportunities for freelancers is expanding.

Fields such as computer programming, marketing, IT and business consulting now constitute 50% of all freelance services according to recent freelance statistics.

These industries are expected to grow.

Especially as companies increasingly appreciate the advantages of flexible talent pools. For both long-term and short term projects.

The shifting landscape of work in the post Covid era has solidified freelancing.

Leveraging These Freelance Statistics

How can you make the most of these freelancing statistics?

The best way to capitalize on these freelancing statistics and trends is to start taking action:

• As the freelance industry continues to grow it’s crucial for freelancers to begin building relationships with clients as possible.
• This is a time for small businesses, especially those seeking new avenues to connect with motivated individuals and tap into their expertise.
• Businesses can utilize the internet to form a network of freelancers outsourcing tasks that can help them operate efficiently.
• With the expansion of the freelancing industry, establishing connections with clients becomes more important, for freelancers at this stage.

The more relevant your freelancing skills are, the stronger your bargaining power will be. Especially when negotiating work contracts and getting ahead as a freelancer.

Bookmark and visit this page again, as we update freelance statistics, facts and trends for the industry in in the coming years.

Statistics for this article were gathered from the following sources:

• Upwork. New Upwork Study Finds 36% of the U.S. Workforce Freelance Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• Upwork. The sixth annual “Freelancing in America” study finds that more people than ever see freelancing as a long-term career path.
• Statista. Freelance participation in the United States as of 2019, by generation.
• Thimble. Proprietary data on freelance and consultant policyholders (2020).
• CNBC. Skilled freelancers, earning more per hour than 70% of workers in the U.S., don’t want traditional jobs.
• Glassdoor. Freelance Copywriter Salaries.
• Statista. Share of freelance workers in the United States in 2019, by gender.
• Forbes. Freelance Economy Continues to Roar.
• FreelanceMap. Freelancers also work long hours – 40+ hour working week.