State of Independence Report : 2018
Independent work remains a viable and desirable career path, despite the strongest job market in decades
The 2018 MBO Partners State of Independence in America paints a nuanced picture of the 42 million Americans who work independently as independent professionals, contractors, consultants, freelancers, side giggers and more.
In this eight year of the report, the longest-running comprehensive look at the independent workforce, American independents emerge as strong, mature, and satisfied.
Even amidst record low unemployment and the strongest jobs market in decades, independent work remains a viable and desirable career path.
"People from all industries choose to become independent professionals," says Gene Zaino, CEO of MBO Partners. "The key word here is 'choose.'"
With each passing year, independent workers grow in both popularity and in size.
"Independent work and traditional jobs are not engaged in a zero-sum fight, but rather, growing in unison," says Zaino.
Independent work is or has been a part of nearly 47% of American's careers, a number that is poised to swell to 52% in the next five years.
The improving economy is leading to greater demand for skilled independent talent, which enables them to attract more work and increase their fees or wages. This is especially true in high demand fields such as IT, biotech, and marketing.
MBO's State of Independence Research is the longest-running and most respected research on the independent workforce. View our previous reports.