Gig Economy in North America: 10 Stats Your Company Should Know
The gig economy isn’t just growing — it’s reshaping how businesses hire, scale, and pay their workforces.
Whether you’re building a new gig platform, managing freelancers, or planning to expand into North America, understanding the realities behind the numbers can help you make smarter strategic moves.
Here are 10 key gig economy statistics from the US and Canada that every company should have on their radar — and what they mean for your future planning.
10 Gig Economy Stats That Matter in 2025
1. Over 70 million Americans participate in the gig economy.
(Source: McKinsey 2024)
The freelance workforce makes up nearly 40% of the US labor market, and it's growing year over year.
What this means: Gig platforms are no longer niche — they’re mainstream. Competition for freelance talent will only increase.
2. 58% of Canadian workers have participated in freelance, gig, or contract work.
(Source: Statistics Canada)
Canada’s gig workforce is diversifying beyond rideshare into tech, creative, and professional services.
What this means: Companies expanding into Canada should design payouts for diverse types of workers — not just delivery drivers.
3. 83% of gig workers say immediate payment is a top priority when choosing a platform.
(Source: PayQuicker Study)
What this means: Offering real-time or instant payouts isn't a “nice to have” — it’s a competitive advantage.
4. 50% of freelancers in North America now expect to be paid within 24 hours.
(Source: Upwork Survey)
What this means: Slow weekly payments are becoming a liability. On-demand pay options can directly improve retention.
5. The average earnings for North American gig workers increased by 17% in 2024.
(Source: Freelancers Union)
What this means: As freelancing becomes more lucrative, top talent will have higher expectations for user experience — including seamless, fast payouts.
6. 45% of gig workers manage their income through mobile wallets or prepaid cards.
(Source: Pew Research Center)
What this means: Payment flexibility matters. Offering multiple payout options (bank transfers, cards, wallets) is critical.
7. 62% of gig workers surveyed said they’d switch platforms for better payout transparency.
(Source: PYMNTS.com Research)
What this means: Trust-building through clear, trackable payment reporting is essential — especially at scale.
8. Over 1 in 5 gig workers work internationally.
(Source: World Economic Forum)
What this means: Cross-border payouts, local currency support, and regulatory compliance (like W-8BEN collection) are now basic requirements, not optional features.
9. 35% of gig workers in the US identify administrative burden (like tax reporting) as a major stressor.
(Source: Freelance Forward 2024)
What this means: Automating tax form collection (W-9s, 1099s) during onboarding improves freelancer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
10. By 2027, more than half of North America's workforce will participate in some form of freelance or gig work.
(Source: Statista)
What this means: Building scalable payout infrastructure today is an investment in staying competitive for the next decade.
Build Smarter, Scale Faster
The gig economy isn't slowing down — and neither are the expectations of the workers driving it.
Fast, flexible, transparent payouts are no longer a future luxury. They’re table stakes for gig platforms, freelance marketplaces, and any business relying on contractors across North America.
i-payout helps you:
- Launch with instant or scheduled payouts
- Offer multiple payment methods globally
- Stay compliant with US and Canadian regulations
- Provide 24/7 support to your payees
What This Means for You
If you’re serious about attracting and retaining top freelance talent across the US and Canada, your payout experience needs to match their expectations.
Start building a platform that freelancers trust — with payouts they can count on.
