The independent workforce is no longer a side story — it is a structural part of the U.S. economy. Tens of millions of Americans now earn income outside a traditional W-2 job, and the trend is still climbing. Here are the numbers, and what they mean if you run a 1099 or self-employed business.
How big the independent workforce is
An estimated 70.4 million Americans did freelance or independent work in 2025 — roughly 36% of the U.S. workforce. The shift toward full-time independence is the sharpest part of the story: the number of full-time independent workers more than doubled from about 13.6 million in 2020 to 27.7 million in 2024. This is a durable change in how Americans earn, not a pandemic blip.
Where it's heading
Projections point to continued growth, with some analyses expecting the freelance and independent workforce to approach 86.5 million people by 2027 — close to half of all U.S. workers. Higher earners are growing too: the count of independents earning six figures has risen sharply since 2020. The independent economy is both bigger and, at the top, more lucrative than the stereotype suggests.
Why 1099 businesses get treated differently by funders
Self-employed and 1099 income is real, but it does not show up like a salaried W-2 — it's variable, and traditional banks often struggle to underwrite it. That is exactly why revenue-based funding fits: it underwrites on your business bank deposits, so consistent income counts even without a pay stub. See our guide to business loans for 1099 contractors.
Funding a self-employed business
If you run a 1099 or independent business, the path to funding is the same playbook that works for any revenue-based borrower: clean bank statements, consistent deposits, and a proper business setup. The Broker Shop is a broker, not a funder: one application reaches the funders whose guidelines you meet — including those comfortable with self-employed income — and you compare the strongest offers. Funding runs $5K to $2M, free to apply.
See what you qualify for
One 2-minute application is matched to the funders whose guidelines you meet. It's free, and checking your options won't affect your credit score.
See What I Qualify For →The bottom line: The independent workforce hit roughly 70 million in 2025 — about 36% of workers — with full-time independents doubling since 2020. If you're among them, revenue-based funding reads your deposits, not a pay stub: one application matches you to the funders whose guidelines you meet.
Frequently asked questions
Sources: Statista — Gig economy in the U.S. · ADP Research — The gig economy
Found these figures useful? You're welcome to cite or link to this page. Suggested attribution: “Gig Economy & 1099 Workforce Statistics (2026),” The Broker Shop — thebrokershopinc.com/gig-economy-1099-statistics.html. Every figure links to its original primary source.