More Than One-Third of American Workers Turn to Freelance Jobs in 2023

  • 38% of workforce freelanced in 2023, according to Upwork study
  • Freelancers say they’re seeking extra cash, more flexibility

Nearly half of the workers surveyed by Upwork provided knowledge services, including computer programming.

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An all-time high of 64 million people — more than one-third of America’s workers — turned to freelance work this year, according to a survey by Upwork Inc.

Nearly half of those workers provided knowledge services, including computer programming, marketing and consulting, and one-quarter were social media influencers, according to data released Tuesday from the online recruitment company. Younger workers are more likely to freelance, with more than half of the Gen Z workforce and 44% of millennials working those jobs in 2023.