Top Freelancing Reasons of Full-Time and Part-time Freelancers in U.S.

Proof Point

Being own boss and having flexible schedule named by full-time freelancers in Upwork study as top reason for freelancing, while part-timers’ top motivation is having extra income in 2018

Top Freelancing Reasons of Full-Time and Part-time Freelancers in U.S.

2018 (percentage)

Note: Data from Upwork’s 2018 Freelancing in America survey of more than 6,000 U.S. workers, of which 2,000 are freelancers, in June 2018; Respondents ranked major reason as 4 or 5 on 5-point scale

Proof Point Findings

  • Freelancers – Self-employed segment of labor force, working with clients on contractual or temporary basis
  • Full-Time Freelancing – At least three-fourths of full-time freelancers surveyed by Upwork look for control, flexibility and independence, with being own boss (81%) as top reason for freelancing in 2018
  • Additional Income – 76% of part-timers surveyed said their main reason for freelancing is to earn extra money in 2018
  • Flexible Schedule – Ranked second among both full-time and part-time freelancers as major motivation for freelancing
  • Key Growth Drivers – Include rising income capacity of freelance jobs, growing employee demand for intangible freelancing benefits (i.e. time and location flexibility, independence, control) and increasing employer adoption of more flexible employment structures

Market Disruption

Sector

Cross-sector

Function

Cross-Function

Source

Date Last Updated

March 5, 2019

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