Copyright forbes
With traditional jobs increasingly insecure, 79.2 million Americans are doing independent work—and many are thriving, according to new research. The number of independents—such as freelancers and consultants—earning more than $100,000 annually rose by 19% since 2024 to 5.6 million, according to new research by MBO Partners, a global talent solutions platform that connects enterprises with independent workers. The number of six-figure solopreneurs has almost doubled since 2020. The data was part of MBO Partners' 15th annual State of Independence in America Report. MBO Partners, headquartered in Ashburn, Va., was acquired by Beeline, which developed a platform for managing an independent workforce, in June from the private equity firm Emerald Lake Capital Management. For companies looking to work with sought-after independent professionals, formal planning will become increasingly important, according to Teresa Creech, president of MBO Partners and a longtime staffing industry executive. “It's got to be an intentional part of a strategy to properly plug into this talent,” she said in an interview. Emergent Research and Illuminas surveyed 6,474 U.S. residents, including 2,402 independent workers, to prepare the data in the report. The growth in six-figure self-employment comes amidst an uptick in independent work. The number of nonemployer businesses – those with no employees on payroll – grew to 30.4 million in 2023, the most recent year for which Census statistics are available, up from just under 29 million in 2022 and 22.7 million in 2012. Typically, self-employed individuals run these businesses, but some are partnerships or teams of founders. Teresa Creech, president of MBO Partners, reported that self-employed workers are finding AI is a tool for working more efficiency and finding their next projects. MBO Partners While the overall number of independent workers has remained stable since last year, according to MBO Partners’ research, one pocket of growth is in independent content creators, whose numbers jumped 13% to 10.1 million. Young creators have the most substantial presence, but a new development: “granfluencers” are making their mark, the researchers found. For many (64%), content creation is a part-time pursuit. MORE FOR YOU At the same time, the number of independent professional services consultants has increased by 3% to 11.5 million—a 55% increase since 2020. As the research showed, 63% of independent workers reported they are self-employed by choice, and 59% reported earning more than they did in traditional jobs. Fifty-nine percent plan to remain self-employed, and 18% plan to grow their business. At a time when factors such as trade policy and AI are affecting job security, independence is becoming a career strategy. A record 40% of traditional job holders said working independently is less risky than conventional employment—a significant increase from 2024, when 31% said so. Another reason many are flocking to independent work is the effects on their mental and physical health: 86% say they are happier working on their own than they were in traditional jobs, and 78% say it is better for their health. Some of growth comes from workers in traditional jobs who have turned to freelance side hustles to make ends meet or create new career paths for themselves. Nearly 36% of traditional workers said they now have side gigs. Many view them as a backup plan, with 48% of the side giggers worried about losing their jobs. More than one-third of the side hustlers are offering freelancing or consulting services to businesses. Among the side giggers, 40% are Gen Z, 42% are millennials, and the majority are male. Technology is becoming increasingly important to many independent workers, the report found, with 41% using online tools such as talent platforms and social media to find work, and 49% using online talent marketplaces. The finding showed that 74% of independent workers use AI, 61% saying it saves time and increases productivity. The average respondent reported that it saves them nine hours a week. “It's enabling independent workers to do work faster and to have stronger output,” says Creech. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
