Freelancing is a regular source of income for a majority of freelancers, according to a study released by freelancer management system provider Field Nation. The 2016 Field Nation Freelancer Study found 86% of freelancers intentionally opted to freelance, and 95% of freelancers have a positive view of what they do on a daily basis.

Additionally, the study found that 94% of freelancers surveyed consider their contract work to be a regular, reliable part of their household income, complementing another finding which revealed that 72% of freelancers are making the same or more than they did before when they were traditionally employed, according to the report.

According to the report, the newest shift uncovered this year is the evolution of trends into a blending of the traditional and freelance workforce.

“While the freelance movement continues to accelerate and widen, we do not foresee a future where everyone is independent,” the report stated. “Rather, we see a hybrid workforce emerging that taps a network of expertise for collaborative projects, and elastic teams that scale up and down with need, demand and capacity. This is the blended workforce.”

Eighty-six percent of the independent contractors surveyed said that they chose freelance work rather than feeling forced into it. They cited the top reasons for opting in as:

• More flexibility: 33%
• Control over my future: 23%
• I chose to be: 19%
• No other options at the time: 14%
• Additional income: 11%

This survey was conducted between November and October, 2015. All 863 respondents were registered users of the Field Nation platform.