In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the latest statistics on freelancers in the US and explore how they’re faring in terms of income, job satisfaction, and more. We’ll also discuss some of the challenges that freelancers face and offer advice on how to navigate them.
Whether you’re a new freelancer or an experienced pro, this post will give you valuable insight into the landscape of freelance work in America.
💼 Important Facts About Freelancing
- Approximately 1.57 billion people in the world are freelancers, which makes up almost 47% of the global workforce.
- By 2023, there will be 73.3 million freelancers in the US, up from 70.4 million in 2022.
- There are over 16 million individuals utilizing UpWork as a freelancer platform.
- The global freelance market was projected to grow to $4.43 billion in 2022, and reach $12.01 billion by 2028.
- On average, freelancers charge an hourly rate of $28 per hour.
- Among freelance workers, 52.3% are female and 47.7% are male.
- The average age of freelancers is 37 years old.
- Among freelancers in North America, 55% are between the ages of 25 and 44.
- Female freelancers, as a group, earn, on average, 84% of what male freelancers earn.
- 1 in 4.1 independent workers are not receiving their pay on time.
- Freelance software consultants command a salary of more than $92,000 per year.
- More than one in ten Fortune 100 companies turn to Upwork for freelance talent.
- An astonishing 58 million employed Americans engage in freelance work on their own initiative.
- Over half of post-grade workers in the United States freelance.
- The global gig economy is expected to reach $ 455 billion by 2023.
🗺️ General Freelance Statistics
- In the US, 73.3 million freelancers are present, and this number is expected to increase to 76.4 million by 2024.
- In 2022, there were 70.4 million freelancers in the US, up from 67.4 million in 2021. It is predicted that by 2028, 90.1 million people will be freelancing in the US.
- The average salary for freelancers in the United States is $68,947 per year or $33 per hour.
- The US holds the top position in terms of freelancing country revenue growth, experiencing a 78% increase over the past year.
- Gen Z workers comprise 48% of freelancers.
- Gig workers, on an hourly basis, earn 40% less than the minimum wage.
- Freelance work is disproportionately favored by men, who are 350% more likely to be earning over $150,000 than their female counterparts.
- 74% of freelancers do not receive their clients’ payments on time.
👥 Freelance Industry Statistics
- There are more than 700 WeWork locations in the world.
- By September 2021, Google had employed more temporary and freelancers than full-time employees (150,000 vs. 144,000).
- By 2022, the global market size for freelance platforms was expected to reach $4.43 billion from $3.81 billion in 2020, indicating a growth of 27 percent over the previous year.
- Approximately 5 million Uber drivers are active globally.
🌐 Upwork Statistics
- In 2021, freelancers from the US, India, and the Philippines accounted for over 75% of Upwork’s revenue.
- A significant portion of the Fortune 100 companies – 30% – rely on the talent provided by Upwork.
- The revenue generated by Upwork rose 205.75% over the course of 2016-2021.
- In May 2022, developers held the most coveted positions on the platform, with 243 roles open for application.
- Upwork commissions 20% of freelance earnings for $500.
- Over 16 million individuals utilize Upwork to find freelance jobs.
🇺🇸 Freelancing in the United States
- The US economy received $1.3 trillion from freelancing in 2021, representing a significant portion of the total $18.5 trillion in economic output.
- In 2021, the highest number of Google searches took place in California, illustrating the state’s significant demand for freelancers.
- With 50 spaces conveniently located across the city, Dallas is ranked as the top city for freelancers in America.
- Colorado boasts the highest number of coworking spaces per capita in the country, with 2.4 spaces per 100,000 people.
- About 51% of US workers with graduate degrees are freelancers.
- Approximately one-third of Americans who earn more than $150,000 work independently to some extent.
✅ The Future of Freelancing
- By 2027, the US will have 86.5 million freelancers, representing 20% of all workers in the country.
- By 2023, the global gig economy will have reached $455 billion in size.
- By the end of 2027, the size of the freelance platforms market could be worth $9.1 billion worldwide.
💼 Freelance Statistics Jobs
- Approximately 36% of freelancers are employed in web and graphic design and programming.
- Fiverr data shows that interest in promotional video ad production increased by 453% from December 2021 to May 2022.
- Those in the software consulting industry receive the highest pay, earning an average of $92,219 per year.
- The average earnings of freelance grave tenders are $28.50 per job.
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✍️ Conclusion
With an ever-increasing demand for flexible work opportunities, freelancing has become a popular career choice for many Americans. Furthermore, freelancers also tend to earn higher wages than traditional employees as well as enjoy greater job satisfaction. These statistics show that freelancing is becoming an increasingly viable option for those seeking a meaningful and rewarding career.
