"Freelancing in America: 2016" is the most comprehensive measure of the U.S. independent workforce. How many Americans are freelancing? Why? What is their potential impact on elections? This study, conducted by an independent research firm and commissioned in partnership by Upwork and the Freelancers Union, surveyed more than 6,000 U.S. workers to answer these questions and more. Results showed that more people than ever are choosing to freelance -- 55 million this year, or 35% of the total U.S. workforce.
64. For more details go to:
www.upwork.com/i/freelancinginamerica2016
Editor's Notes
IC: 40% in 2014; 36% in 2015
DW: 18% in 2014; 26% in 2015
Moonlighters: 27% in 2014; 25% in 2015
Temps: 10% in 2014; 9% in 2015
F Biz Owners: 5% in 2014; 5% in 2015
Increase in diversified workers was primarily between 2014 & 2015, driven by increased participation in sharing economy. Only a 2 pt increase from 2015 to 2016.
For reference, numbers in charts are rounded and total over 100%
Methodology:
1) Calculated the average income from freelancing for each of the 5 freelance segments using Q31_2 “Over the past year, how much money did you earn in total from freelancing, before taxes or other deductions?”
2) Calculated estimated # of freelancers per segment using freelancer flowchart and BLS workforce estimate (August 2016 Employment Situation)
3) Multiplied the average income per segment x estimated # of freelancers per segment to get total contribution per segment
4) Added contributions from all 5 segments to get total estimated income contribution from freelancers overall
SD: On this slide, my narrative called for a 3rd party stat on "job durations going down." Or a stat on the decline of corporate loyalty would work here as well. But it should be smaller on bottom, with our study being the main focus. Upwork will look for relevant stats.
Better idea: Have these stats as speaking points rather than on the slide.
Q77- did not ask in 2014
2014: Wording same as 2015/16
Qtext did not change from 2014-2016
Q29b: Qtext changed from 2014 – “Q29: Do you make more or less money now than you did before you started doing freelance work?” Showing top 2 box, “a lot more + somewhat more”
Comparison: Did not ask in Q29c in 2014, +1pt from 2015
Q60: Question in 2014 worded as “Q59: Have you ever done a freelance project online – meaning work that you found and performed via the Internet” (42% in 2014)
Q61: Q text did not change in 2014/15
Compared to 2014 – we saw a 6pt increase in the # of people who said it takes them 4-6 days so our # for less than 3 days isn’t as positive (down 6pts)
Q text stayed the same 2014-2016. 2014, however, did not include the following answer choices: social media, online freelance marketplaces, specialized freelance websites
Qtext did not change from 2014-2016
+5pts from 2015
+1pt from 2014
2014: Q31_Which of the following descriptions best describes your current freelance role