Independent Contractor Statistics
Last updated: June 2026 · 5 sourced statistics
Independent contractors are the legal backbone of the freelance economy — and the center of a long-running classification fight. The BLS finds roughly 7% of US workers are independent contractors in their main job; MBO Partners counts over 72 million Americans doing some independent work. Classification rules shifted again with the Department of Labor's 2024 final rule.
Key takeaways
- Roughly 7% of US workers are independent contractors in their main job (BLS).
- 72+ million Americans do some form of independent work (MBO Partners).
- The DOL's 2024 final rule reinstated a multi-factor economic-reality test for classification.
At a glance
Every figure on this page in one table, each linked to its named source. Scroll down for the full context behind each number.
| Figure | What it measures | Source | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~7% | Roughly 7% of US workers are independent contractors in their main job, per the BLS Contingent Worker Supplement. | US Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2023 |
| 72M+ | MBO Partners counts more than 72 million Americans doing independent work — full-time, part-time, or occasional. | MBO Partners State of Independence | 2023 |
| 6-factor test | The US Department of Labor's 2024 final rule on worker classification restored a six-factor economic-reality test for who counts as an employee under the FLSA. | US Department of Labor | 2024 |
| $600 | Businesses must file Form 1099-NEC for each contractor paid $600 or more in a year — with penalties per missed form (IRS). | Internal Revenue Service | 2025 |
| ABC test | California's ABC test (codified by AB5) presumes workers are employees unless all three prongs of independence are met — the strictest major classification standard in the US. | State of California / DIR | 2020 |
The statistics
Roughly 7% of US workers are independent contractors in their main job, per the BLS Contingent Worker Supplement.
Source:US Bureau of Labor Statistics2023
MBO Partners counts more than 72 million Americans doing independent work — full-time, part-time, or occasional.
Source:MBO Partners State of Independence2023
The US Department of Labor's 2024 final rule on worker classification restored a six-factor economic-reality test for who counts as an employee under the FLSA.
Source:US Department of Labor2024
Businesses must file Form 1099-NEC for each contractor paid $600 or more in a year — with penalties per missed form (IRS).
Source:Internal Revenue Service2025
California's ABC test (codified by AB5) presumes workers are employees unless all three prongs of independence are met — the strictest major classification standard in the US.
Source:State of California / DIR2020
When these numbers don't apply
Aggregate statistics hide a lot. Read these caveats before quoting a figure as if it describes your specific situation.
- BLS measures main-job contractors only; the 72M+ figure includes part-time and occasional independent work.
- Classification law is in flux — the DOL rule, the IRS test, and California's ABC test apply in different contexts.
- Misclassification risk and rules vary by state; this is not legal advice.
How we compiled this data
Compiled June 2026 from BLS Contingent Worker Supplement data, MBO Partners research, DOL rulemaking documents, IRS filing requirements, and California labor guidance. Classification law evolves — verify current rules with the linked authorities.
We hand-collected each figure from its original publisher rather than recycling secondary round-ups, cross-checked the headline numbers against the source documents in June 2026, and link every statistic to the report it came from so you can verify it yourself. Where a publisher issues annual updates, we cite the report edition and flag the year inline.
Frequently asked questions
How many independent contractors are there in the US?
About 7% of workers (roughly 11–12 million) use independent contracting as their main work (BLS); over 72 million do some independent work (MBO Partners).
What's the difference between a contractor and an employee?
Control and economics: contractors control how they work, bear profit/loss risk, and serve multiple clients. The DOL's 2024 rule weighs six economic-reality factors; California's ABC test is stricter.
What forms do contractors receive?
Form 1099-NEC for $600+ in annual payments from a client. Contractors pay self-employment tax and quarterly estimates rather than having tax withheld.
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