Freelancers are outpacing full-time employees in earning power, says Upwork CEO

Core Insights - The freelance market in the US is a $1.5 trillion ecosystem, with 28% of knowledge workers engaged in contingent or flexible work [2][3] - Gig work represents a small fraction of this market, primarily consisting of small transactional projects, with projects under $300 accounting for only about 5% of total spend [3] - Freelancing is increasingly seen as a choice for workers seeking flexibility and control over their careers, with 53% of Gen Z knowledge workers opting for freelance work [6] Company Performance - Upwork's gross services volume (GSV) from AI-related work increased by 53% year-over-year in the third quarter, indicating strong demand for AI expertise [7][13] - The company has 250,000 AI experts on its platform, positioning itself as a resource for businesses lacking in-house AI skills [9] - Upwork's GSV growth turned positive, showing a 2% year-over-year increase, with expectations for further improvement in 2026 due to strategic initiatives [10][14] Market Trends - A significant challenge for businesses is the high failure rate of AI pilots, with 95% reported to be unsuccessful, leading them to seek external talent [8] - The rise of AI is creating a need for flexible or contingent workers to complement AI technologies, contributing to the growth of the AI work category [12][13] - Upwork's new business plus offering for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) grew by 33% in the quarter, reflecting a positive trend in the SMB market [14]