Jacksonville, Fla. – September 28, 2026 -- The U.S. independent workforce reached a record 74.9 million people in 2026, driven by a 114% surge in full-time independent professionals since 2020, according to the 16th annual State of Independence study released by MBO Partners by Beeline.
Full-time independents now account for 22% of all full-time U.S. workers
That share is nearly double the level recorded in 2019, marking a structural shift from supplemental gig work toward independence as a primary career path. Among independent professionals surveyed, 78% plan to remain independent or scale a larger business, with nearly six in 10 intending to continue working independently and one in five aiming to grow their operations.
Six-figure independent earners nearly double to 5.8 million
An estimated 5.8 million independent professionals now earn more than $100,000 annually, up from roughly 3 million in 2020. One-third of independent professionals now serve clients outside the United States, nearly three times the share reported in 2012, as digital tools reduce geographic constraints on client acquisition.
Nearly eight in 10 independents say AI boosts productivity
Generative AI users among independent professionals report average time savings of nearly 10 hours per week, alongside gains in customer insights and new business opportunities. More than three-quarters of independent professionals report high satisfaction with independent work, while just 1% describe themselves as dissatisfied.
MBO Partners warns employers against relying solely on traditional hiring
"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. "Organizations can't assume the skills they need will always be available through traditional hiring."
The findings, paired with a companion report developed with Staffing Industry Analysts examining enterprise engagement strategies, were drawn from a survey of 4,557 U.S. adults, including 2,063 independent workers, fielded in April 2026 by Emergent Research and Radius Insights and weighted to reflect U.S. demographics.