Independent work is no longer just about freelancing, side hustles, or earning extra money. A growing number of Americans are building full-time careers and businesses around their expertise, while companies are increasingly looking outside their traditional workforces for contractors with specialized skills.
That’s the picture emerging from MBO Partners’ 2026 State of Independence, which examines both independent workers and the companies that hire them. The findings reveal a workforce that’s not only growing but also changing how Americans earn a living, build businesses, and use technology.
Independent Work Moves Into the Mainstream
A record 74.9 million Americans now earn income through independent work, according to MBO Partners’ 16th annual study. But the more significant finding may be who’s joining the independent workforce.
For the first time in years, full-time independent work is growing faster than part-time and supplemental work. Since 2020, the number of full-time independent professionals has increased 114%, compared with 22% growth in overall U.S. employment. Full-time independents now represent 22% of all full-time U.S. workers, more than double their 10% share in 2019.
The shift suggests that independent work is becoming an established career path rather than simply a temporary alternative to traditional employment.
Independence Is Becoming a Long-Term Career
Not everyone enters independent work by choice. In 2026, 57% of independent workers said working independently was entirely their decision, down from 63% in 2025. But regardless of how they started, most appear happy with the arrangement. According to the study, 77% of independent professionals report being highly satisfied with their work, and 78% plan to continue working independently or build a larger business.
Money is part of the appeal: 61% say they earn more independently than they would in a traditional job. And 66% say they feel more secure working independently, compared with just 32% in 2011. The benefits aren’t exclusively financial: 83% say they’re happier working independently, while 74% are optimistic about their career futures.
These findings suggest that for many Americans, independence has become a long-term professional commitment, not a stopgap between jobs.
From Freelancers to Business Owners
As the independent workforce matures, more professionals are turning their knowledge and experience into businesses. MBO Partners identifies 11.9 million Independent Service Professionals (ISPs), including consultants, advisors, and other specialists who sell their expertise to businesses. That’s a 61% increase from 7.4 million in 2020.
And more independent professionals are earning substantial incomes. In 2026, 5.8 million independents reported earning more than $100,000 annually, up from approximately 3 million in 2020.
Technology is helping these businesses grow. More than half (53%) of independent workers used an online talent platform to find customers or work during the past year, compared with just 3% in 2012.
Digital platforms are making it easier for independent professionals to reach customers, market their expertise, and compete for business without relying exclusively on personal referrals.
Independent Workers Are an Economic Force
The growth of independent work is also having a significant economic impact. According to an economic analysis included in MBO Partners’ enterprise research, independent contractors directly generate approximately $800 billion in income and contribute $643 billion to U.S. gross domestic product.
When their business purchases and the household spending supported by their earnings are included, their total estimated economic contribution approaches $2 trillion in GDP and supports nearly 18 million full-time-equivalent jobs.
That’s a powerful reminder that independent workers aren’t simply participating in the economy. They’re helping drive it.
AI Is Creating New Opportunities for Independent Professionals
Artificial intelligence is changing both how independent professionals operate their businesses and how companies find the expertise they need. According to MBO Partners, 81% of independent professionals now use generative AI in their work, compared with 74% of traditional workers. They’re using the technology for research, brainstorming, writing, data analysis, and administrative tasks.
But AI is also creating demand for a different kind of independent talent. MBO Partners’ companion survey of corporate executives found that companies aren’t just looking for AI programmers and engineers. They also need experienced professionals who understand their industries and can help determine how AI should be applied.
When executives were asked which skills were hardest to access through full-time hiring, applied AI expertise topped the list at 40%. Nearly half (47%) reported using independent professionals for subject matter expertise to refine AI use cases, while 38% use them for AI implementation and integration.
Perhaps the most revealing finding is that 53% of executives believe the ability to combine business knowledge with AI fluency will be especially valuable going forward, compared with 44% who identified technical AI expertise.
That’s an important distinction for independent professionals.
And demand for that expertise is likely to grow: 54% of the executives surveyed expect AI to increase their use of independent talent over the next two years, while only 8% anticipate a decrease. For experienced independent professionals willing to develop their AI skills, that could open new doors.
What the Changing Workforce Means for Businesses
The two MBO Partners reports point to a significant change in the relationship between independent professionals and the companies that hire them. Independent work has evolved well beyond its roots in freelancing and supplemental income. More Americans are building sustainable businesses around their expertise, while employers are discovering that some of the specialized knowledge they need may be easier to access through independent professionals than traditional hiring.
For small business owners, that creates opportunities on both sides. Those operating independent businesses can market their expertise to a broader range of clients, while companies looking for specialized skills can tap into independent talent without necessarily adding permanent employees.
Rieva Lesonsky is the founder of Small Business Currents, a content company focusing on small businesses and entrepreneurship. You can find her on Twitter @Rieva, Bluesky @Rieva.bsky.social, and LinkedIn. Or email her at Rieva@SmallBusinessCurrents.com.
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