Upwork Inc. released its inaugural Monthly Hiring Report on September 2, 2025, providing a real-time analysis of hiring trends in the U.S. freelance economy, which generates an estimated $1.5 trillion annually. Drawing from over 1 million U.S. job postings on Upwork’s platform and a monthly business pulse survey from the Upwork Research Institute, the report highlights how businesses leverage freelance talent to drive innovation and growth in the AI era.
High-Value Work Surge: Large businesses saw a 31% increase in high-value freelance contracts (over $1,000), with one in four leaders hiring freelancers for advanced technical skills to address workforce gaps and drive growth.
AI and ML Demand: Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) reported a 40% rise in demand for AI and machine learning skills, alongside a 27% increase in Video & Animation, reflecting a push for innovation and efficiency.
Human-AI Collaboration: Categories like Creative & Design, Writing, and Translation are evolving, with Content Writing and Language Tutoring & Interpretation growing 15% and 162%, respectively, driven by high-value work. Fact-checking, critical for AI output verification, is among the top skills hired.
Creator Economy Boom: Content creator jobs hit a historical high, comprising 15% of Upwork job postings, with nearly twice as many requiring AI skills compared to other non-technical roles.
Machine Learning
Python
English
ChatGPT
Data Labeling
Graphic Design
Data Annotation
Fact-Checking
Image Annotation
Video Editing
The report underscores the freelance economy as a leading indicator of labor market trends, with businesses turning to freelancers for flexibility and specialized skills. “The freelance economy shows us where the labor market is going,” said Dr. Kelly Monahan, managing director of the Upwork Research Institute. “AI is reshaping projects, but human expertise remains critical,” added Dr. Teng Liu, emphasizing human-AI collaboration in skills like fact-checking and video editing.
The $1.5 trillion freelance economy is a vital sector, with 28% of U.S. knowledge workers freelancing in 2024. The 40% surge in AI/ML demand among SMBs and the 15% growth in content creator roles reflect broader trends in the $500 billion global AI market and the $50 billion creator economy. Upwork’s data positions it against platforms like Fiverr and Freelancer.com, with a focus on high-value, AI-enhanced work.
Upwork Inc. is the parent company of Upwork Marketplace and Lifted, connecting businesses with AI-enabled freelance talent across various work models. With over $25 billion in talent earnings facilitated, Upwork drives economic opportunity in the evolving work landscape. Learn more at upwork.com.
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