Freelancing: Key Statistics and Figures (2026)

Freelance income stats

Self employment is growing globally and by gender and specialization. Here are the latest freelancer earnings stats.

By gender

Men Dominate the Freelance World, 59% of the self employed in the US. This is slightly higher than the traditional workforce (53%).

Big income gap:

• Men 350% more likely to earn over $150,000 per year than female freelancers
• 48% of female freelancers in the lowest income bracket vs 34% of men

Fun fact: Female freelancers are paid more on time, with fewer unpaid incidents than male freelancers.

Specialization

Most freelancers (61%) specialize in 2 or 3 areas of expertise. This allows them to expand their offer and attract a more diverse client base.

Industry growth

Freelance market is growing fast:

• 2022: 4.43 billion
• 2028: 12.01 billion
• CAGR: 15.4%

By 2027 freelancers will be over 50% of the US workforce.

Earnings

In the US the average hourly rate for a freelancer is $47.71. The most common range is $24.28 - $61.78 per hour.

These stats show the complexity of the freelance economy, the big gender and income gaps and the big growth potential of this industry.

Freelance Market

Freelancing is growing fast in the US, changing the work landscape. Here are the latest stats.

Number and growth of freelancers

The American Freelance Community is growing fast:

• 73.3 million Americans are freelancing
• 16% growth in 3 years
• 36% of the total US workforce

This shows a growing preference for flexibility and autonomy that comes with self employment.

By generation and education

Freelancing attracts all generations, but most are the youngest:

• Generation Z (18-24) : 53% of freelancers
• Baby Boomers (55+) : 29% of freelancers

Education: 40% of American freelancers have a university degree or higher, proving freelancing is attractive to highly skilled professionals.

Earnings and specializations

Freelance earnings vary greatly by field:

• 45% of freelancers are in qualified services (Programming, marketing, IT)
• Hourly rate: $15 - $150 depending on experience and platforms used

Gender gap:

• 48% of female freelancers in the lowest income bracket
• Men 4.5x more likely to earn over $150,000 per year

Lifestyle

Freelancing is good for many:

• 84% of full-time freelancers say they can live the life they want to
• 64% have improved health

But challenges remain:

• 77% have less financial stability than with a traditional job

Still, satisfaction is high: 94% of freelancers would not go back to a traditional job.

This shows the big opportunities of freelancing and the big challenges, especially financial stability and gender pay gap.

Freelancer Work Habits

The freelance world is growing and includes many industries.

There are several Websites Popular Like Freelancing Platforms Where freelancers are looking for jobs. The most popular ones are:

• Indeed, which attracts 150 million freelancers on its platform.
• Freelancer, which has over 16 million freelancers.
• FlexJobs, which has around 2 million freelancers looking for a job every month. (Source: similarweb.com)
• 86% of freelancers work from home, so they don’t need a corporate office to work. (Source: and.co)

The freelance world is growing and includes many industries.

Online freelancing platforms are tools for freelancers to find jobs, with sites like Indeed, Freelancer and FlexJobs that get millions of visitors every month. Plus most freelancers work from home, so they can work at their own pace and better balance work and life.

Freelance statistics and insights

Freelancing is growing in the US and worldwide and is becoming a bigger part of the global economy. Here are the latest trends and stats for 2024.

Freelancing growth

Freelancing is growing:

• 76.4 million freelancers in the US in 2024 (compared to 73.3 million in 2023)
• 50% growth between 2008 and 2023 in France
• 5% of American GDP
• $1.3 trillion annually
• There are several popular websites like some freelancing platforms where freelancers are constantly looking for jobs

This shows the rising trend of self employment in the modern economy.

Freelancer types and domains

The breakdown of freelancers by sector is interesting:

• 75% of freelancers in art, design and creative media
• Big growth in Digital marketing, programming and web development
• In Europe:
  • 67% in communication
  • 50% in web and graphic design

Demographics

Freelancing is more attractive to younger generations:

• 70% of freelancers are under 35
• Dominance of Gen Z (born 1997-2013) and Millennials (1981-1996)

These numbers show the appeal of freelancing for young professionals looking for flexibility and independence.

Satisfaction and Motivations

Freelancing has many benefits:

• 84% of full-time freelancers say they can live the life they want to
• Over 80% cite flexibility and choice of projects as the main benefits

In summary, freelancing is a growing and lucrative industry that offers many options for freelancers. Freelancers find work through various sources like former clients, social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn...), etc. Freelancers need to keep developing their skills to thrive in the industry.

Freelance statistics and fun facts

Freelancing is booming and it’s more than just work opportunities. Check out these fun facts to see the full scope of this way of working.

Why freelancing is growing

59% of non-freelancers want to become freelancers in the future. This explains the influx of new talent in the self employment market.

Freelance satisfaction

Fun fact: 51% of freelancers say no amount of money would make them go back to traditional employment. This shows how happy self employment is.

Technology

73% of freelancers agree that technology has made it easier for them to find work. Technology has really changed the daily life of self employed.

Freelance perception

64% of people think the best professionals in their industry are moving towards freelancing. This trend shows how self employment is being seen as a career option.

Market in balance

Despite the growth of freelancers, The demand for their services is relatively stable. This is an interesting fact that shows a market that is adapting and evolving to welcome new talent.

These numbers show not only the work opportunities of freelancing but also the freedom and personal satisfaction it brings. The enthusiasm for this way of working, thanks to technology, is now affecting all industries, and thus reshaping the modern work landscape (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn...)

Summary

Freelancing is becoming a growing sector with flexible options that are more appealing to younger generations or those looking for a professional transition. Despite the challenges like gender income gap and financial instability for some, the influx of freelancers in big companies including Fortune 500 companies shows a bright future for this way of working.

This is a big shift in professional practices that answers to the new generation of workers seeking balance and independence.

First thing to expect in the future of freelancing is more industries to join the freelancing world. Freelancers most popular work are writing assignments like grammar and proofreading, AI software development or artificial intelligence based services, web design, marketing and IT development.