Here are relevant statistics and observations from the fourth annual “Freelancing in America” ​​survey conducted by Freelancer’s Union. According to the organization, “Freelancing in America” ​​is the largest and most comprehensive measure of freelancers conducted in the US The online survey surveyed 6,002 American adults who had done full or part-time freelance work between August 2016 and July 2017 Self-employment was defined as temporary, project-based, or contract work performed in a non-profit or for-profit government agency or organization.

About us

In 2017, 57.3 million of our fellow citizens, representing 36% of the nation’s workforce, participated in the autonomous economy and contributed $ 1.4 trillion to the US economy. The survey found that the 63% work as a freelancer by choice, rather than by necessity, and enjoy this way of working. The self-employed reported feeling positive about our work and 79% preferred self-employment to traditional employment. We are more likely than traditionally employed workers to feel respected, empowered, and engaged in our work environment. The survey designated the following categories of self-employed:

• Independent contractors (35%, 19.1 million) – Full-time independent consultants whose only income is derived from the client’s work.
• Diversified workers (28%, 15.2 million) – Freelancers who regularly do work with clients, but who also do other part-time jobs.
• Moonlighters (25%, 13.5 million) – Those who periodically take on autonomous projects in addition to their traditional employment
• Independent business owners (7%, 3.6 million) – Full-time freelancers who put together ad hoc teams of freelance specialists to form a consulting company so that more complex and lucrative client work can be performed.
• Temporary workers (7%, 3.6 million)

What we like

Time and money influence the decision to work as a freelancer. Flexibility is considered a significant benefit and is favored by 60% of the self-employed. In addition, more than 50% of workers who left full-time employment to work as freelancers were able to earn more money during the first year of self-employment than they did in traditional employment. 46% increased their project rates and hourly rates in 2017 and 54% said they planned to do so in 2018.

Serious challenges

Still, money is a problem for freelancers. Respondents reported that proper billable hours, negotiating fair project rates or hourly rates, and receiving timely payment of invoices (or receiving full payment) could be problematic.

On average, full-time freelancers log 36 billable hours per week. When the billable hourly rate or project rate is deemed inadequate, cash flow suffers and there may be difficulties meeting financial obligations. Unsurprisingly, the survey found that debt is also a worrying issue.

Accessing health insurance and saving for retirement are challenging. Full-time freelancers rank health and dental insurance as top concerns; 20% have no health insurance savings.

Shaping the future

As the traditional full-time paid employment of the middle class continues to disappear, the ranks of freelance consultants can only grow, making us a rapidly growing segment of the American workforce. Sadly, the leaders of our government are not attentive to the unique circumstances of the independent community or to our potential as a voting bloc.

Eighty-five percent of those surveyed said they planned to vote in the 2018 midterm elections. If that statistic is accurate, it would represent nearly 49 million independent voters, more than enough to influence congressional and congressional elections. governorate. Seventy percent of those surveyed would prefer that candidates and political representatives address the needs of freelancers, because no matter how beautiful things may be for the select few who charge lucrative project fees, we are quite vulnerable.

Self-employed workers do not receive paid sick, vacation or vacation time. We do not receive co-sponsored health insurance or retirement benefits. Billable hours can have feast or famine fluctuations that wreak havoc on our cash flow and ability to meet significant financial obligations. The 57.3 million independent consulting professionals in the US desperately need political representation, advocates, and activism.

Thank you for reading,

Kim