DOWNLOAD THESE TWO REPORTS

The State of Independence 2026

Perspectives from the Independent Workforce | Growth Continues. Workforce Evolves


The Enterprise Perspective | Insights from Workforce Leaders on the Future of Independent Talent

For 16 years, our State of Independence® research has tracked the rise of independent workforce

In 2026, we’ve widened the lens with two new reports. Perspectives from the Independent Workforce explores how 74.9 million independent professionals are working, building businesses, and preparing for the future. The Enterprise Perspective examines how organizations are adapting their workforce strategies to access and engage this increasingly important source of talent.

Together, they reveal where talent and enterprise priorities are converging, and where meaningful gaps remain.

Get Both Reports Free >>


The dynamic between independent workers and enterprise customers is transforming.

Independent professionals are more established, more sophisticated and more selective
than ever before. They have specialized expertise, they know what it’s worth, and they know you need it.

81%

of executives at leading-edge organizations strongly agree independent talent provides access to high-value skills.

Independent workers now have more power to choose.

54%

of enterprises expect AI to increase their use of independent talent over the next two years.

AI-savvy independent workers are becoming more valuable.

78%

of independent professionals plan to continue working independently or build a larger business.

Independence is becoming more strategic.

These two reports reveal how independent talent is evolving,
how enterprises are adapting, and where the two sides align—or don’t.

Report #1:
Perspectives from the Independent Workforce

Find out how independent professionals work, earn, adopt tech, and decide who to work with.

You’ll learn how:

  • The workforce didn’t just get bigger, it got serious - 
    A record 74.9M Americans now earn income independently, with full-time independent status growing 114%.
  • They’re staying independent, and scaling -
     78% plan to stay independent or build larger businesses. Almost 6M of them now earn more than $100K per year.
  • Expertise has become the product -
     Nearly 12M Independent Service Professionals now build businesses around specialized expertise
  • They have more choice with whom they work -
    See what independent professionals value most in a client relationship, and what organizations can do to attract sought-after talent.
2026 SOI Talent Perspectives Cover

One of the key visibility gaps we found:

61%

of independent professionals say schedule flexibility is very important.

Yet only 36%

of enterprises recognize schedule flexibility as very important to independent talent.

What talent values and what enterprises prioritize don't always line up.

Report #2:
The Enterprise Perspective

This focused survey of 84 corporate executives, along with 10 in-depth interviews with workforce leaders, shows how you stack up when competing for independent talent

You’ll learn why:

  • The performance gap is real, and measurable -
    Fewer than 1 in 3 executives believe their independent talent program is leading edge. Leaders report stronger outcomes in flexibility, speed, competitive advantage, and ROI.
  • Discipline is the key differentiator -
    Leaders track 2.5 times more program metrics than their peers, while 49% of followers track none at all. Leaders proactively identify where independent talent can add value.
  • Independent talent is the fastest path to AI ROI -
    Applied AI skills rank as the single hardest capability to source through full-time hiring, and leaders are the earliest to use independent talent to fill that gap.
  • Our 8-step Enterprise Playbook can help your company win -
    This report ends with a comprehensive audit guide that you can use today to help you build a real plan for the AI-driven hiring wave.
2026 SOI Enterprise Perspective Cover

When competing for talent,
it’s better to win.

If you want to transform the value of your independent workforce as you compete in the era of AI, these two detailedresearch reports will give you the information, insights and incentives you need to better understand independent talent and build a stronger workforce strategy.