16th annual State of Independence study finds more professionals are building long-term independent careers and businesses, reshaping how organizations access talent and skills
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 28, 2026 – The U.S. independent workforce reached a record 74.9 million people in 2026, but the bigger shift is happening within the workforce itself. Full-time independent work is growing rapidly as more professionals build long-term careers and businesses outside traditional employment, according to the 16th annual State of Independence® study released today by MBO Partners by Beeline.
Since 2020, the number of full-time independent professionals has grown 114%. Full-time independents now represent 22% of all full-time U.S. workers, nearly twice their share in 2019. The findings point to a workforce that is no longer defined primarily by supplemental or occasional work, but increasingly by professionals choosing independence as the primary way they earn a living, build expertise and shape their careers.
For businesses competing for skills, that shift has significant implications. As more professionals build sustainable careers outside traditional employment, organizations have access to a growing pool of independent talent, but they also need workforce strategies and engagement models designed to reach professionals who view independence as a long-term career choice.
Independent professionals are also earning more, serving broader markets and using technologies such as AI to expand their capabilities. Collectively, the findings suggest that independent talent is becoming not simply an alternative source of labor, but an increasingly established source of expertise for organizations navigating changing skill needs.
Key Findings from the 2026 State of Independence: Perspectives from the Independent Workforce
- Among independent professionals, 78% plan to remain independent or build a larger business. Nearly six in 10 plan to continue working independently, while one in five intends to grow a bigger business. For hiring organizations, that signals independent talent is becoming a durable workforce channel, not simply a temporary stop between traditional jobs.
- An estimated 5.8 million independent professionals now earn more than $100,000 annually, nearly double the number in 2020. The continued growth of six-figure independent professionals underscores that professionals are building sustainable businesses around their expertise and gives organizations another path to access experienced talent outside traditional hiring.
- One-third of independent professionals now serve customers outside the United States, nearly three times the share in 2012. As technology makes geography less of a constraint, independent professionals are competing and building businesses in a broader market, while organizations can access expertise from a wider talent pool.
- Nearly eight in 10 independent professionals say AI complements their work and improves productivity. Generative AI users also report average time savings of nearly 10 hours per week, along with benefits including deeper insights, expanded customer offerings and new business opportunities. For organizations, independent professionals can bring both domain expertise and practical experience applying emerging technologies to their work.
“The most important story this year isn’t simply that more Americans are working independently. It’s that more professionals are building lasting careers and sophisticated businesses around independence,” said Teresa Creech, President of MBO Partners by Beeline. “That changes the talent equation for employers. Organizations can’t assume the skills they need will always be available through traditional hiring. They need to be able to access and engage professionals where and how they choose to work.”
That shift also appears durable. More than three-quarters of independent professionals report high satisfaction with independent work, while just 1% describe themselves as dissatisfied. The findings reinforce that independent work is not simply a response to labor market disruption. For a significant segment of professionals, it has become a preferred way to build a career.
The new companion report, The 2026 State of Independence: The Enterprise Perspective, developed with Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), examines how organizations are adapting their workforce strategies to engage independent talent, providing a view of both sides of the independent workforce.
The 2026 findings mark the 16th consecutive year of MBO Partners’ State of Independence research. The 2026 State of Independence: Perspectives from the Independent Workforce was fielded in April 2026 by Emergent Research and Radius Insights and surveyed 4,557 U.S. adults age 18 and older, including 2,063 independent workers. Results were weighted to reflect U.S. demographics.
Download the 2026 State of Independence reports, including Perspectives from the Independent Workforce and The Enterprise Perspective here.
About MBO Partners
MBO Partners powers the independent workforce, helping organizations confidently engage, manage, and scale high-value independent talent. For 30 years, MBO has delivered workforce solutions including Agent of Record (AOR), Employer of Record (EOR), contractor compliance, and talent solutions, along with specialized services that help organizations assess workforce risk, strengthen compliance, access proven talent, and optimize their independent workforce programs. Today, MBO supports 100+ enterprise organizations, representing more than $1 billion in independent workforce spend. As part of Beeline, MBO brings deep independent workforce expertise and services into a connected workforce orchestration ecosystem, giving organizations greater visibility, control, and confidence across their extended workforce.
Media Contact:
Casey Bush for Beeline
Global Results Communications
beeline@globalresultspr.com
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