Fully 36% of the American workforce freelanced in 2021, according to Upwork's 2021 Freelance Forward report, and they generated $1.3 trillion for the economy, a $100 million increase from 2020.
The report noted a shift in hiring with non-temporary roles making up 38% of the positions filled, up from 33.8% the previous year. Educated workers are also in demand with 51% of the workforce staffed by post-grads.
