There hasn’t been a day dedicated to the United States freelance community until now. National Freelancers Day, celebrated on the second Friday in March, offers an opportunity to appreciate freelancers for their hard work that often goes unnoticed.
Almost every job has a yearly moment to celebrate their profession—in fact, Employee Appreciation Day is the first Friday in March. National Freelancers Day is a moment to recognize and support the shift in the workforce and those in it who are pursuing their passions—like the entrepreneurial shop owner, graphic designer, or taxi drivers. Collectively, this community contributes $1.3 trillion to the U.S. economy.
History of National Freelancers Day
Skilled craftspeople and tradespeople have worked independently or in small groups for many years worldwide. The early American economy was largely made up of small businesses and independent contractors. With the rise of the knowledge economy and technological advances in the 20th century, freelance work was more accessible and widespread. The growth of the internet and the development of digital platforms made it easier for freelancers to find a job and connect with clients.
Today, freelance work is a significant part of the American economy, with millions working independently in various fields. While freelance work offers many benefits, such as flexibility and autonomy, it also presents challenges, such as financial instability and difficulty accessing benefits like healthcare and retirement savings.
With a growing number of people shifting toward freelance jobs and the gig economy to make an income, National Freelancers Day is meant as a day to celebrate the modern workforce.
National Freelancers Day timeline
The earliest appearance of the word “freelance” is found in Thomas N. Brown’s "The Life and Times of Hugh Miller."
The Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) was established allowing self employed individuals to contribute to a tax-deferred retirement account.
The introduction of the Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA) in 1997 presented Americans with a bold new way to save for retirement.
Robinhood sponsors the first annual National Freelancers Day in the U.S. to honor gig workers and their contributions. Want to be a sponsor: learn how.
National Freelancers Day FAQs
Do freelancers have days off?
Freelancers don’t have set vacation days. What’s great about this is they can choose when, how often, and for how long their vacations are.
How many hours should a freelancer work?
As a freelancer, it’s up to you to determine how many hours you’ll work per week. You should take into consideration what your billing rates as well as what your living expenses are, and that will help you determine the number of hours.
What are the highest-paying freelance jobs?
Some of the highest-paying freelance gigs include media buyers, public relations managers, business consultants, and cybersecurity developers.
How to Celebrate National Freelancers Day
Show your appreciation for gig workers!
The best way to celebrate National Freelancers Day is to support gig workers by hiring them for your next task. Whether it be for a household task or a technical project, use a gig worker!
Host a virtual networking event
Bring freelancers together by organizing a virtual meetup or webinar. This is a great opportunity to share experiences, tips, and resources.
Share your freelance journey
Share your freelance experience, including challenges and successes, on social media. This can inspire others and promote discussions about the freelance lifestyle.
5 Facts About Freelancers
Freelancers in the U.S. workforce
Today, almost 36% of the US workforce are freelancers and gig workers, representing almost 59 million people in total.
Their contributions
Even among turbulent times, freelancing remains an important part of the US economy. In 2021, freelancers contributed $1.3 trillion to the U.S. economy in annual earnings, up $100 million from 2020.
Why people choose freelance work
Flexibility and freedom are key motivators for new and existing freelancers. 68% of new freelancers say that ‘Career Ownership’ is a top draw.
Lack of traditional benefits
The lack of access to a workplace retirement plan is the most significant financial challenge facing non-traditional workers.66.3% say they want workplace retirement benefits, ranking them only second to health benefits.
Freelancers come from various age groups
14% of freelancers are over the age of 65, while 30% are baby boomers. Freelance workers come from various age groups and backgrounds, with varying degrees of financial planning needs.
Why We Love National Freelancers Day
It celebrates freelancers’ hard work
National Freelancers Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and contributions of freelancers and gig workers across the US. It recognizes the important role that these workers play in the economy and highlights their unique challenges.
It builds community
National Freelancers Day helps build a sense of community among freelancers and gig workers. It allows us to celebrate the shared experiences and challenges faced by the gig economy, and provides an opportunity to connect with others in the industry.
It brings awareness to their challenges
Tools that many of us take for granted: like PTO or contribution matching—are not available to gig economy workers. National Freelancers Day allows us to bring to light and discuss many of the challenges facing the modern workforce.
National Freelancers Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | March 11 | Friday |
| 2023 | March 10 | Friday |
| 2024 | March 8 | Friday |
| 2025 | March 14 | Friday |
| 2026 | March 13 | Friday |
