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.
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
Methodology & sources
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.
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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