What To Know About The Freelance Workforce As It Grows And Changes

The face of the freelance workforce keeps evolving to reflect the career choices of different generations. An estimated 64 million Americans—or 38% of the U.S. workforce—did freelance work last year, up by 4 million people from 2022, according to a 2023 study from Upwork Research Institute. Those freelance workers contributed nearly $1.3 trillion in annual earnings to the U.S. economy.

The growth in the freelance workforce is nothing new. Over the past decade, an average of 1 million more people each year have done freelance work, according to the results of a new Gen Z survey from Upwork Research Institute

It also found that more than half (52%) of all Gen Z professionals surveyed did freelance work, compared to 44% of Millennials, 30% of Gen X and 26% of Boomers. Gen Z represents the fastest-growing generation of workers, which is increasingly rejecting conventional 9-to-5 jobs and embracing freelancing as a career choice.

“Freelancing’s growing impact on the workforce is due mainly to professionals seeking alternatives to traditional 9-to-5 models in favor of more flexible arrangements,” the report noted. “The data reveals that professionals turn to freelancing for greater flexibility, autonomy, and control of their careers.”

Generational Differences

The two ends of the freelance workforce spectrum each have their own benefits, advantages and challenges, according to those who have worked with them.

“We’ve hired both Baby Boomers and Gen Z freelancers to write for our blog on a variety of college-related topics,” Marcy Kelman, digital content manager for Church Hill Classics, which makes customized diploma frames, said via email.

‘Ghosted’ By Gen Z

While “Baby Boomers have consistently provided clear email communication and quick turnarounds on deadlines, I’ve been ghosted by several Gen Z freelancers,” she recalled.

“That’s not to say that we haven’t hired fantastic Gen Z writers who’ve turned in exceptional articles on time, but I’ve had at least six or seven Gen Z freelancers agree to write specific pieces for us and then zero response to repeated emails, no explanation…just crickets.

“In my 30+ years as a professional writer and editor, I’ve never experienced a phenomenon like this, but it’s something I’ve encountered frequently in the past three years,” Kelman concluded.

Ease With Technology

“Our team is diverse not just in skill sets but in generational representation, ranging from eager Gen Z tech enthusiasts to experienced professionals in their 60s. One fascinating piece of this broad age spectrum is the varying levels of comfort with technology and AI,” Alexis Quintal, CEO and owner of Rosarium PR and Marketing Collective, said via email.

“My younger team members naturally navigate these realms with ease, but the adaptability and eagerness to learn from our older consultants have been more hesitant,” she noted.

‘A Stark Contrast’

“Working with Gen Z freelancers offers a stark contrast to collaborating with Baby Boomers,” Scott Jackson, CEO of Jackson Creative Group and a former director of leadership and professional development at Amazon, said via email.

“Gen Zers bring a level of creativity that far surpasses their Boomer counterparts, producing multiple viable and varied solutions akin to unique fingerprints. In contrast, Baby Boomers tend to stick to tried-and-true methods, delivering the status quo efficiently and on time.

“On the other hand, Boomers offer stable, reliable solutions you can almost set your clock to, though their rigidity can culturally impact the workplace. Pricing is often the prime motivator when working with Boomer freelancers,” Jackson pointed out.

Ultimate Flexibility

“What I’ve found most different is that Gen Z wants ultimate flexibility in their work environment and may seem like they are not the best communicators, which is quite the opposite of Baby Boomers,” Alyssa Pfennig, CEO of Hakate Strategies, a marketing and branding agency, observed via email.

“Yet, they are still quite skillful. I’ve found that if you understand the differences in work styles and let go of the expectations of how things should always work, it can work well to add the youthful expertise to your team,” she advised.