US skilled freelancers earned $1.5 trillion in 2024, and 5.6 million American independent workers crossed the $100,000 mark in 2025, the highest figure MBO Partners has ever recorded. The freelance workforce now represents between 38% and 45% of all US workers depending on which methodology you trust. This article presents verified figures from Upwork, MBO Partners, the World Bank, Fiverr, Statista, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Freelancer Statistics: Top 5 Numbers
- US skilled freelancers generated $1.5 trillion in earnings during 2024, according to Upwork’s Future Workforce Index.
- The US freelance workforce reached 72.9 million workers in 2025, equal to roughly 45% of the total workforce.
- A record 5.6 million US independents earned more than $100,000 in 2025.
- AI-enabled freelancers earn approximately 40% more per hour than peers who do not use AI tools.
- 69% of employers hired freelancers after the 2023 to 2024 tech layoffs to fill staffing gaps.
How Many Freelancers Are There in the US?
The US freelance population stood at 72.9 million workers in 2025 by MBO Partners’ count and 76.4 million by Upwork’s broader survey. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a much narrower figure of 9.8 million because it counts only people whose primary occupation is independent work.
The 90% growth in the broad US freelance count between 2020 and 2024 reflects the post-pandemic shift to remote work, plus a layoff wave that pushed millions into independent work.
| Year | Broad Survey Count | BLS Primary Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 38–41 million | 9.4 million |
| 2022 | 60 million | 9.6 million |
| 2023 | 64 million | 9.8 million |
| 2024 | 72.7 million | 9.9 million |
| 2025 | 72.9–76.4 million | Not yet published |
| 2027 (projected) | 86.5 million | — |
Source: MBO Partners State of Independence 2025; Upwork Future Workforce Index, April 2025; Statista, August 2024; BLS Current Population Survey.
Freelancer Statistics: US Earnings and Income
Full-time freelancers in knowledge work reported a median income of $85,000 in 2024, compared with $80,000 for full-time employees in equivalent roles. The gap widens at the top: 5.6 million independents crossed $100,000 in 2025, around 7.5% of the broad freelance workforce.
The average US freelancer hourly rate sat at $47.71 in the 2024 to 2025 period. Freelancers using AI tools commanded roughly 40% more per hour than peers without those skills.
| Earnings Metric | Figure | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Total US skilled freelancer earnings | $1.5 trillion | 2024 |
| Median income — full-time freelancers | $85,000 | 2024 |
| Median income — full-time employees | $80,000 | 2024 |
| Independents earning $100,000+ | 5.6 million | 2025 |
| Average hourly rate (US) | $47.71 | 2024–2025 |
| AI-enabled freelancer hourly premium | ~40% more | 2024–2025 |
| Pay satisfaction among skilled freelancers | 78% | 2024–2025 |
Source: Upwork Future Workforce Index, April 2025; MBO Partners State of Independence 2025.
The 45% of freelancers who say they earn more than their previous salary reflects a survivor population. People who tried freelancing and went back to traditional employment are underrepresented in platform surveys. Looking for a productive setup to support independent work? See our guides on home office inspiration and gear.
Freelancer Statistics by Skill Category
Software and web development leads Upwork at 34% of platform activity, followed by writing at 18%, admin and support at 11%, and design at 9%. AI-related work is the fastest growing segment by a wide margin, with gross services volume up 60% year on year on Upwork in 2024.
Job postings for AI skills grew 300% year on year by 2025, while basic writing fell 21%, basic translation dropped 28%, and data entry declined 35%. Large language models are reshaping which freelance work commands a premium and which gets automated away.
| Skill Category | Platform Share or Trend |
|---|---|
| Web, Mobile and Software Development | 34% of activity |
| Writing | 18% of activity (basic writing -21%) |
| Admin and Support | 11% (data entry -35%) |
| Design and Creative | 9% of activity |
| AI and Machine Learning | +60% YoY gross services volume |
| Generative AI expertise | +300% YoY job postings (2025) |
| Prompt engineering | +240% growth |
| AI editing | +180% growth |
| Basic translation | -28% |
Source: HRStacks citing Upwork 2025 Labor Market Trends; Upwork investor release, April 2025; Jobbers.io Freelance Benchmark Report 2026.
If you build digital tools or run a knowledge-work practice, our desk setup ideas show how independents organize their workspaces.
Freelancer Statistics: Business and Enterprise Hiring
68% of companies globally now hire freelancers regularly, up from 48% in 2020. After the 2023 to 2024 tech layoffs, 69% of employers brought in independent workers to fill gaps rather than rebuild headcount. Among CEOs, 48% plan to increase freelance hiring further, and 29% of executives say their companies could not operate without independent talent.
| Enterprise Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Companies hiring freelancers regularly | 68% (up from 48% in 2020) |
| Employers who hired freelancers post-layoffs | 69% |
| CEOs planning to increase freelance hiring | 48% |
| Executives saying freelancers are essential | 29% |
| Fortune 500 using freelance platforms | 48% |
| Top revenue-growth firms embedding freelancers | 45% |
| Companies replacing FT roles with freelance (2023–2026) | +27% increase |
Source: Upwork “Most In-Demand Skills for 2025,” January 2025; Fiverr Business Trends; Harvard Business Review via Jobbers.io; Jobbers.io Freelance Benchmark Report 2026.
Among 400+ publicly traded US firms tracked by Upwork, those in the top quartile of revenue growth embed freelancers at a 45% rate. That correlation between freelance use and revenue performance is the strongest enterprise data point currently available. Independents looking to keep clients organized often start with a clean workspace and ergonomics guide.
Freelancer Statistics: Demographics and Generations
Millennials hold the largest single share of US independent workers at 34%, followed by Gen Z at 28%. Many millennials entered freelancing during the Great Recession and now have decade-long practices. Among Gen Z, 53% have freelanced at some point, and 53% of Gen Z freelancers work full-time hours rather than treating it as a side income.
61% of Gen Z freelancers cite control over their career as the main motivation. 36% of full-time employees say they are considering switching to freelancing.
| Generation | Share of US Independent Workforce | Notable Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| Millennials (1981–1996) | 34% | Largest single generational share |
| Gen Z (1997–2012) | 28% | 53% work full-time hours as freelancers |
| Gen X (1965–1980) | Declining share | Smaller proportion than younger cohorts |
| Baby Boomers (1946–1964) | Smallest share | Gradual reduction as cohort ages out |
Source: Carry.com citing MBO Partners 2025; Upwork Future Workforce Index, April 2025.
Opportunity Perception: Freelancers vs Employees
82% of skilled freelancers reported more work opportunities in 2025 versus the prior year, compared with 63% of full-time employees reporting the same. That 19-point gap is one of the clearer structural signals in current data. For tools that help independents stay productive, our productivity setup picks are worth a look.
Freelancer Statistics: AI Adoption
54% of freelancers report advanced AI proficiency, against 38% of full-time employees. AI-using freelancers save roughly 8 hours per week on average. The earnings premium is substantial: about 40% more per hour than peers without AI skills.
The fastest-growing freelance subcategories are all AI-adjacent. Prompt engineering rose 240%, AI editing rose 180%, and overall AI-related job postings grew 300% year on year by 2025. Independents building AI workflows often invest in monitor and accessory recommendations to handle multiple tools at once.
Freelancer Statistics: Global Workforce
The World Bank estimates the global online gig workforce at between 154 million and 435 million people, depending on definition. North American freelancers earn an average of around $44 per hour, while Western European freelancers average closer to $38.50.
| Region | Average Freelancer Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| United States | $47.71 |
| North America (overall) | ~$44.00 |
| Western Europe | ~$38.50 |
Source: Upwork via Jobbers.io Freelance Benchmark Report 2026; World Bank online platform study.
FAQs
How many freelancers are there in the US in 2025?
The US freelance workforce reached 72.9 million workers in 2025 by MBO Partners’ broad survey count, with Upwork estimating 76.4 million. The BLS reports 9.8 million using a narrower primary-occupation definition.
How much do freelancers earn on average?
Full-time US freelancers in knowledge work reported a median income of $85,000 in 2024, with an average hourly rate of $47.71. A record 5.6 million US independents earned over $100,000 in 2025.
What percentage of companies hire freelancers?
68% of companies globally hire freelancers regularly in 2025, up from 48% in 2020. Among Fortune 500 firms, 48% use freelance platforms, and 69% of employers brought in freelancers after the 2023 to 2024 layoffs.
How much do AI-skilled freelancers earn?
Freelancers with AI proficiency earn roughly 40% more per hour than peers without those skills. They also save about 8 hours per week using AI tools, according to Upwork and Fiverr research.
Which freelance skills are growing fastest?
AI-related categories lead growth: AI job postings rose 300% year on year by 2025, prompt engineering grew 240%, and AI editing rose 180%. Software development remains the largest category at 34% of Upwork activity.
