Flying Free: The Independent Workforce Continues to Grow and Thrive in 2024

Over the past decade, the traditional social contract between enterprises and workers has undergone dramatic changes. Originally, this traditional pact was an implicit agreement where employees exchanged their loyalty for job security, stable career progression, and benefits that often included a guaranteed pension. We now live in a time where this kind of job security no longer exists, benefits have been cut back or eliminated, and the mutual loyalty between organizations and workers have eroded. On the other hand, workers are prioritizing flexibility and work that aligns with their personal values. As a result, many professionals are no longer attached to their employers. This is why working independently has become a mainstream career path for many professionals. 

We now live in a time where this kind of job security no longer exists, benefits have been cut back or eliminated, and the mutual loyalty between organizations and workers have eroded.

Workers can now choose to ply their trade independently—a career path where they have the flexibility to choose how, where, and when they work.

This is reflected in the massive growth of the independent workforce over the last several years. 

In 2020, there were only 38.2 million independents. However, in 2023, the population of the independent workforce ballooned to 72.1 million.

After several years of massive growth, the number of independent workers only went up to 72.7 million in 2024. Despite this,  working independently remains to be a mainstream career path and will stay as a permanent fixture in the world of work for years to come.

In-Demand and Highly Skilled: Meet the Independents

The independent workforce is composed of a younger cohort, as a big part of it comprises Millennials (ages 29-43), Gen X (ages 44-59), and Gen Z (ages 18-28) workers.

More importantly, independents are tech-savvy, well-educated, and in-demand as they possess a high level of proficiency in the use of technological and artificial intelligence tools. Since those skills are in high demand, enterprises have made efforts to understand the ambitions and skill set of independent workers in an effort to effectively attract and retain this cohort of workers.

This trend is reflected by the fact that there are 11.2 million independents serving businesses in various capacities as of 2024. Happier, More Secure, and Healthier

Historically, strong payroll jobs markets have pulled people away from independent work into full-time employment.

However, confidence surrounding independent work has grown as support networks and infrastructure to support it continues to broaden.

84% of full-time independents are happier working on their own

Those who choose to work independently (whether part-time or full-time) do so because this affords them with the ability to prioritize their overall well-being, achieve more work-life balance, and diversify their streams of income.

According to our most recent findings, 84% of full-time independents are happier working on their own, 79% say the career path is better for their health, and 65% of them feel secure working independently. 

Lastly, 54% of the people we interviewed say they will not go back to a traditional job.

The Future of Work is Independent

People crave freedom, flexibility, and the ability to do the work they’re deeply passionate about on their own terms.That’s why working independently will only become more popular as the years go by. This is why it’s crucial for enterprises who want to thrive to embrace the independent workforce as doing so will give them agility and access to top talent.

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There’s so much more to the independent workforce than meets the eye!

What we’ve covered in this article only scratches the surface of what we’ve learned about this group of highly skilled workers. If you want to know more about independents and how they can impact the world and future of work, we encourage you to read our latest State of Independence report, our annual research study covering the independent workforce landscape.

This is a crucial read for business leaders as our report sheds light on the mind of America’s dynamic independent workforce. As the war for talent continues to intensify, companies will have to tap into the independent workforce if they want to remain agile and competitive in the years to come.

Read the 2024 State of Independence here