39% of the US workforce are freelancers, says Upwork

UNITED STATES (U.S.) — About 39% of employees in the United States (U.S.) performed freelance work in 2022, according to a report released today by talent platform Upwork Inc. This corresponds to about 60 million Americans.

Upwork’s study found American freelancers contributed approximately $1.35 trillion in annual earnings to the U.S. economy, $50 billion more than in 2021. 

This growing trend of freelancing comes as more people explore alternative ways of working while diversifying their revenue streams. In 2022, 37% of all U.S. professionals had more than one employer, job, or contract project, for example, holding two part-time jobs with different employers or holding one full-time job and engaging in freelance work.

The majority of freelancers (51%) provided knowledge services such as computer programming, marketing, IT, and business consulting in 2022.

Upwork VP of Talent Solutions Margaret Lilani said, “Freelancing continues to gain popularity among skilled professionals as more people evaluate their priorities and values around work.”

Satisfaction levels in the freelancing industry are also high during the past 12 months. About 67% of freelancers surveyed are more optimistic about their job or career opportunities as a freelancer. Two-thirds (66%) of freelancers say they feel more stimulated and 68% say they feel happier by the freelance work they do compared to a traditional job.

At the same time, the majority of responders also said that freelancing enabled them to better support their family (71%) and strengthen their personal relationships (64%).