A detailed look at some of the data behind the MBO 2017 State of Independence Report, the longest running look at the independent workforce. This is the seventh annual report from MBO Partners.

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MBO Partners State of Independence in
America 2017:
Rising Confidence Amid A Maturing Market
June 13, 2017

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About the Study
The 2017 MBO Partners State of Independence in America study is the 7th year this
annual research study has been conducted. Since 2011 independent workers have
completed over 16,000 in-depth surveys and over 1200 independent workers have
been interviewed in-person as part of this study series.
For the 2017 study an online survey was conducted by Emergent Research and
Rockbridge Associates in March of 2017. This survey had responses from 3,008
residents of the U.S. (age 21 and older) and the results were used to size the
independent workforce and profile motivations among independent and traditional
workers (margin of error: +/-2%). The data was weighted to reflect the demographics
of the U.S. The 2017 results are generally statistically consistent with the survey
results from the prior 6 years.
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Key Definitions for the New World of Work
AVERAGE
AGE
INCOME PROFESSION SATISFACTION
Self- Employed /
Independent
Contractor
Age varies,
ranging from
Gen Z to
Matures.
Varies, depending on work as
full- or part-time.
Encompasses all professions and
skill sets.
Highly satisfied.
Small portion doing this work because they
were laid off or can’t find a traditional job.
Want to take care of their own safety net
Freelancer Often Millennial
or Gen X, but
not exclusively.
Varies, depending on work as
full- or part-time. Usually
under $100 / hour. Generally
high volume of smaller
projects.
Generally works within the creative
class (writer, editor, graphic design,
photography).
Generally satisfied and value work/life balance
and the ability to pursue a passion. They are
more likely to want client or government
programs to support safety net.
Independent
Consultant
Often Gen X
and Boomers,
but may skew
younger or
older.
Varies, but generally over
$100 / hour. Earn more as
consultants than they would
as employees. Generally low
volume of larger projects
Often in consulting for a large firm.
Differentiated by offering strategic
insight or specialized skill.
Extremely high, this segment values control,
ability to pursue a passion and flexibility above
all else. They want to take care of their own
safety net.
Side Gigger Across all age
brackets.
Varies based on work.
Generally micro projects of
undifferentiated, commodity
work
Often supplement a full-time job in
or out of their “main” field, and
many work part-time to learn a new
skill or pursue a passion.
Generally high. These workers side gig to earn
extra money. Some portion of this population
is dissatisfied (reluctant) as they are working
solely to earn extra money or because they
cannot find a full-time job.
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Independent Workers in the United States
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
FT 15+
INDEPENDENT
WORKERS IN U.S.
16 million 16.9 Million 17.7 Million 17.8 Million 17.8 Million 16.9 Million 16.2 Million
PART-TIME
INDEPENDENT
12.1 Million 12.4 Million 12.4 Million 11.8 Million
OCCASIONAL
INDEPENDENT
10.5 Million 12.9 Million
TOTAL 39.8 Million 40.9 Million
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Multiple Income Streams Are an Increasing Trend
ACTIVITIES IN ADDITION TO PRIMARY JOB/SOURCE OF INCOME
TRADITIONAL
JOB
FT INDEPENDENT
Sells crafts in physical space 3% 12%
Airbnb or other home sharing 2% 2%
Sell goods on Ebay, Amazon or similar 14% 18%
Talent marketplaces 1% 3%
Sell goods/services on Craigslist or similar 8% 10%
A business I own 1% 21%
Other 1% 1%
None 79% 53%
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Side Gigs Remain Popular, Even Among Those With
Traditional (Full-Time) Jobs
2%
3%
11%
6%
5%
11%
39%
35%
49%
2%
2%
7%
7%
11%
12%
29%
46%
59%
Other
Temporary agency
On call arrangement
Small enterprise
Fixed-term contract
Employed in a permanent part-time job
Solo business
Independent contractor
Employed in a permanent full-time job
2017
2016
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12.5% 13.1%
14.3%
15%
16%
17.9%
19.8%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Independents Earning $100k+ Continue to Increase
Percentage of Full-Time Independent Workers Reporting Earning $100K +
(3.2 million workers)
(1.9 million workers)
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Demographics Stable; Matures Have Left the Workforce
Millennials
40%
Gen X
27%
Boomers
31%
Matures
2%
Boomers &
Matures
35%
2016 2017
Millennials
38%
Gen X
27%
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Independent by Choice More Than Ever Before
65%
59%
58%
53%
56%
57%
55%
9%
10%
9%
13%
14%
13%
15%
26%
30%
32%
34%
30%
30%
30%
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
My choice completely A result of other factors beyond my control A combination of both
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Motivations of Independent Workers
47%
50%
45%
49%
46%
48%
47%
36%
34% 34%
38% 38%
37%
42%
29%
33%
32%
31% 31%
33% 34%
19% 18%
15%
14%
15%
16%
17%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
A desire for greater work life flexibility
A need/desire to earn more money
A conscious and planned decision to start my own business
My industry increasingly relies on independent workers, so
this is the best way for me to work
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Online Marketplaces Grow in Popularity
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Used an online talent platform
to find work over past 12 months
3% 5% 14% 15% 15% 20%
Plan to use online talent platform
to find work over next 12 months
4% 8% 16% 18% 18% 25%
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20%
34%
14%
11%
22%
16%
Total Millennials Gen X Boomers 15+ Hours <15 Hours
Millennials Are the Largest Online Platform Users
n=329 n=102 n=86 n=130 n=197 n=132
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About MBO Partners
MBO Partners offers the industry’s only complete business operating system
for independent workers, offering technology solutions that make it easy for
self-employed professionals and their clients to do business. By re-envisioning
the entire contractor recruitment and engagement lifecycle, MBO improves
how talented independents operate and succeed while helping enterprises
reduce risk and get the best return on their contractor investments.
To learn more, visit www.mbopartners.com.

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Questions?
Please contact McLean Robbins
Director of Content Strategy
mrobbins@mbopartners.com