Self-Employment Statistics
Last updated: June 2026 · 5 sourced statistics
Self-employment is counted differently by every agency: the BLS tallies roughly 16–17 million self-employed Americans, the Census Bureau counts over 28 million 'nonemployer' businesses, and the SBA's small-business universe tops 33 million. Together they sketch an economy where working for yourself is mainstream. Sources below.
Key takeaways
- Roughly 16–17 million Americans are self-employed (BLS).
- The Census Bureau counts more than 28 million nonemployer businesses.
- Most US businesses have no employees at all — the owner is the business.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16–17M | Roughly 16–17 million Americans are self-employed (incorporated and unincorporated combined), about a tenth of total employment, per BLS Current Population Survey data. | US Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024 |
| 28M+ | The Census Bureau counts more than 28 million nonemployer businesses — firms with no paid employees, mostly sole proprietors. | US Census Bureau, Nonemployer Statistics | 2023 |
| 33M+ | The SBA counts over 33 million small businesses in total — 99.9% of all US firms — and the large majority have no employees. | SBA Office of Advocacy | 2023 |
| 64M | 64 million Americans did freelance work in 2023, many alongside traditional jobs — self-employment headcounts capture only those for whom it's primary (Upwork). | Upwork Freelance Forward | 2023 |
| 15.3% | Self-employed Americans pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare — a 15.3% self-employment tax on net earnings, on top of income tax (IRS). | Internal Revenue Service | 2025 |
The statistics
Roughly 16–17 million Americans are self-employed (incorporated and unincorporated combined), about a tenth of total employment, per BLS Current Population Survey data.
Source:US Bureau of Labor Statistics2024
The Census Bureau counts more than 28 million nonemployer businesses — firms with no paid employees, mostly sole proprietors.
Source:US Census Bureau, Nonemployer Statistics2023
The SBA counts over 33 million small businesses in total — 99.9% of all US firms — and the large majority have no employees.
Source:SBA Office of Advocacy2023
64 million Americans did freelance work in 2023, many alongside traditional jobs — self-employment headcounts capture only those for whom it's primary (Upwork).
Source:Upwork Freelance Forward2023
Self-employed Americans pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare — a 15.3% self-employment tax on net earnings, on top of income tax (IRS).
Source:Internal Revenue Service2025
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.
- The three counts measure different things — people (BLS) vs business entities (Census) vs all small firms (SBA) — so they don't reconcile.
- BLS self-employment counts include both incorporated and unincorporated; definitions shift the total.
- Nonemployer-business counts include dormant and very-low-revenue entities.
How we compiled this data
Compiled June 2026 from BLS Current Population Survey data, Census Bureau Nonemployer Statistics, SBA Office of Advocacy profiles, Upwork research, and IRS guidance. Counts differ because agencies measure different things: people vs business entities vs any-freelance-activity.
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 Americans are self-employed?
About 16–17 million per BLS household survey data — roughly one in ten workers. Broader definitions (any independent work) reach 64–72 million.
What is a nonemployer business?
A business with no paid employees — typically a sole proprietor or single-member LLC. The Census counts more than 28 million, making them the most common business type in America.
What taxes do self-employed people pay?
Income tax plus 15.3% self-employment tax (both halves of Social Security/Medicare) on net earnings, usually paid via quarterly estimated payments.
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