Metro Detroit-based freelancers brought in more than $3 billion in total revenue last year, according to a new report by Fiverr, an Israeli multinational online marketplace for freelance services.
The 80,711 skilled freelancers in metro Detroit made an average of $37,334 a year, according to the annual Freelance Economic Impact Report by Fiverr (No. 17 on the list of 30 cities).
The report, which analyzes the size, growth, and economic impact of the independent professional workforce across the United States, states metro Detroit — ranked at No. 22 for total revenue — has established itself as an affordable heartland city for both new and old independent workers alike.
Orlando, Miami, and Tampa top the list for highest freelancer population and revenue growth, according to a new report released today by Fiverr International Ltd.
Featuring a comprehensive analysis of the size and revenue of the skilled independent workforce in the top 30 cities in the United States, the 7th annual Freelance Economic Impact Report also identifies major growth across cities in Texas, while traditional business hubs like San Francisco and New York remain stagnant.
Completed in partnership with Illuminas, the report analyzes secondary data sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, to estimate the size and growth of the independent professional workforce in top markets.
To uncover freelancers’ work habits, motivations, and future plans, Illuminas surveyed hundreds of freelancers and compared those findings with an internal survey of freelancers on Fiverr’s platform.
“While we speak at Fiverr every day of the enormous impact we see freelancers having on businesses, this report is tangible proof of that ongoing impact and the enormous potential of the independent workforce for 2024 and beyond,” says Micha Kaufman, founder and CEO of Fiverr.
“As ‘Gen Z’ grows up and makes up a larger portion of the overall workforce, it’s gratifying — and not surprising — to see GenZers choosing to freelance. The report also confirms that a number of workers are embracing artificial intelligence to boost productivity, saving hours each week.”
Some of Fiverr’s Freelance Economic Impact Report’s key discoveries include:
Freelancers that reside in major cities make more than the average freelancer in the U.S. as a whole.
- On average, $4,334 more than the total U.S. average ($48,288 compared to $43,954)
- Overall, four-in-ten (38 percent) U.S. independent workers raised their rates in 2023, and half (49 percent) expect to do so within the next six months
Freelancers are embracing artificial intelligence to boost productivity
- Two-in-five (40 percent) freelancers report using AI tools, software, or platforms as part of their freelance work in 2023, with higher usage rates among independent workers providing technical services (47 percent), males (43 percent), Gen Z (56 percent), and Millennials (47 percent)
- Freelancers using AI-based tools experienced a significant boost in productivity, saving an average of 8.1 hours per week
More independent workers are abandoning full-time work to exclusively freelance
- Three-in-ten (29 percent) freelancers hold a permanent job in addition to their freelance work
- However, more independent workers focused exclusively on freelancing in 2023, rising to 71 percent (from 64 percent in 2022 and 61 percent in 2021)
- Fiverr freelancers in the U.S. are also moving towards full-time freelancing, with 57 percent reporting they exclusively freelance, up from 52 percent the year before
Women, in particular, view flexibility as a significant advantage of freelancing
- Of the freelancers surveyed, 51 percent identify as female and 49 percent identify as male.
- The freedom to work where and when they choose is even more critical to female freelancers, with half (50 percent) taking up freelancing to work from home (compared to 41 percent of males) and one-third (34 percent) to be in control of their own schedule (versus 22 percent of men).
Shake-ups across top U.S. markets
- The fastest growing freelance markets by population include Houston (#1), Orlando (#2), Las Vegas (#3), and Miami (#4) based on a predicted three-year growth rate (2021-2023).
- Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville have the highest concentration of creative professionals who earn higher-than-average revenues.
- Boston and Seattle are noted for highly educated populations and technology-oriented freelance workforces.
For more detailed information and to view the full report, visit here.
Source: Report: Metro Detroit Freelancers Generated $3B in 2023 Revenue – DBusiness Magazine
