Upwork report shows 38% of US knowledge workers freelance as AI reshapes skilled work value - UPWK News | RalliesUpwork report shows 38% of US knowledge workers freelance as AI reshapes skilled work value
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UPWK• Upwork's Future Workforce Index 2026 highlights rise in skilled freelancing
- Upwork’s Future Workforce Index 2026 flagged a sharp rise in skilled freelancing as AI reshapes which work earns a premium.
- More than 1 in 3 skilled US knowledge workers now freelance, up from about 1 in 4 a year earlier.
- AI-related freelancers earned 34% more per hour than non-AI peers, though returns diverged by complexity.
- Generative AI creative work logged 90% growth in contract starts, while per-contract earnings fell 13%.
- Complex AI-augmented work posted 45% year-over-year earnings growth, with AI-augmented professional services up 72% in volume.
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