The remote gig economy isn’t just having a moment—it’s having a movement.
From data entry desks in Denver to graphic design teams in Guadalajara, the global remote gig wave is rising fast—and the U.S. is hanging ten.
That’s 10 million—the number of Americans considering freelance remote work as an alternative to the daily commute and cubicle grind, according to a recent survey by JobLeads, a leading online job search platform. A freelancer is a person who earns money on a per-job basis or works as an independent contractor—often from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection.
American workers aren’t just exploring freelance remote work—they’re embracing it, and businesses are responding. With such strong interest in remote gig work across the U.S., it’s no surprise that American businesses increased their remote freelance hiring by 260% between 2022 and 2024, according to the survey. The U.S. now accounts for 28% of the global freelance remote workforce—the largest share by far—followed by Spain at 7% and Mexico at 5%.
The most common freelance remote roles include software development and tech jobs, which account for 36% of the market. These are followed by creative and multimedia positions at 21%, and clerical or data entry roles at 18%.
“The gig economy is booming worldwide, with the number of gig workers expected to rise by over 30 million in the next year alone,” said Martin Schmidt, co-founder and managing director at JobLeads. “This rapid growth reflects a fundamental shift in how people approach work—flexibility and autonomy are no longer just perks but non-negotiables for today’s workforce.”
“Especially among younger generations like Gen Z, professionals are increasingly drawn to the freedom that gig work offers. From choosing their own projects to working remotely, this empowers individuals to take control of their careers. At the same time, businesses benefit from a global pool of skilled talent that freelancers bring to the table. As the sector continues to evolve, both workers and employers need to adapt to a new reality where traditional employment models may no longer meet the needs and expectations of the modern workforce.”
For many remote freelance workers, the decision came down to lifestyle and affordability. Take Mexico, for example—its proximity to the United States makes it a convenient choice for bilingual professionals. But with a cost of living 65% lower than in the U.S., freelancers can stretch their income further and enjoy a higher quality of life, according to the survey.
Interestingly, the rise in freelance remote work doesn’t necessarily rely on higher education. More than half—58%—of online gig workers who rely on it as their primary income have only a high school diploma. Just one in five hold a bachelor’s degree. That statistic challenges traditional assumptions about workforce hierarchies, showing that in the gig economy, skill and flexibility often matter more than formal credentials.
The survey was based on statistics from a report by the World Bank Group, as well as data from the Online Labor Index provided by the Online Labor Observatory. The World Bank Group published an extensive report on online gig work, noting that while it offers significant opportunities, there are also challenges.
“Online gig work poses both opportunities and challenges for governments and workers. On the upside, it offers prospects for income generation, especially in developing countries, where most people work in low-productivity, low-quality, often informal jobs. The virtual and often temporary nature of gig work also provides flexibility for often neglected groups such as women, youth, migrants, and people with disabilities.”
“These jobs could be a stepping stone to better-quality jobs for low-skilled workers by helping them learn critical digital skills and close the digital divide. But most gig jobs offer little to no protection for workers, with uncertain income streams and no clear career pathways. Depending on local labor regulations, many gig workers are not protected against unfair practices, abuse or injuries while working. Gig work also raises challenges for managing data security and privacy.”
Online job boards such as SimplyHired, Glassdoor, Crunchbase and Indeed host hundreds of postings for remote freelance jobs.
For example, on Crunchbase, the company Agiphi—a leading provider of AI and machine learning services based in Sheridan, Wyoming—is seeking a remote contract worker for the position of “Growth Strategist—AI SaaS.”
The gig pays up to $48.97 an hour for up to 20 hours a week and includes health insurance. “Agiphi is seeking a highly motivated Growth Strategist to drive sales for our AI data services…” the job posting states.
