Upwork report shows 38% of US knowledge workers freelance as AI reshapes skilled work value

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  • 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.


Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Upwork Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief via GlobeNewswire (Ref. ID: 202607140917PRIMZONEFULLFEED9761843) on July 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.

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